President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to his Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), emphasizing the need for personal responsibility in achieving their ministry’s targets. Speaking during the signing of the Ministerial performance contracts at the State House on Tuesday, Ruto highlighted that there is no room for failure, delay, or excuses. He underscored that each CS must take ownership of their responsibilities, with accountability permeating through all levels of their ministries, departments, and agencies.
Ruto explained that the performance contracts signed by the CSs and their Principal Secretaries are action plans aimed at precise, urgent, and efficient execution of their mandates. These contracts are seen as essential tools for ensuring that the objectives set for each ministry are achieved within the stipulated timeframe. “I expect each CS to take personal responsibility for achieving the targets outlined in their ministry’s contracts. There is no room for excuse, delay, or failure,” he emphasized, reiterating that accountability must cascade down to individual officers within each ministry.
The President noted that these performance contracts are not merely a formality but a serious commitment to results. At the end of the 2025/26 financial year, each CS will receive a performance report card that will reflect their ministry’s achievements. These scorecards will be used to measure success and failure, ensuring that performance contracting is seen as a meaningful exercise. The President stated that these cards will carry recognition, rewards, and sanctions that will be applied consistently, thus reinforcing the importance of performance contracting beyond just being a ritualistic activity.
Ruto stressed that excellence, integrity, consistency, and efficiency would be rewarded, while failure, negligence, and misconduct would promptly invite corrective action. This approach is aimed at creating a culture of accountability that encourages continuous improvement in responsiveness, efficiency, and integrity across the public service. “In other words, I fully expect to see continuous improvement in responsiveness, efficiency, and integrity of our offices collectively and individually,” he said, highlighting the importance of aligning individual and collective efforts with the broader values and principles of public service.
To support this accountability framework, Ruto announced the establishment of an office focused on Performance and Delivery Management within the Executive Office of the President. This office will play a crucial role in coordinating the efforts of all ministries and departments to address performance deficiencies promptly and oversee the timely implementation of corrective measures. By strengthening coordination, Ruto aims to ensure that there is a seamless implementation of policies and that budgetary allocations are disbursed on time. “To ensure seamless implementation, the national treasury will disburse available budgetary allocations on time,” he noted, emphasizing that delays or lack of funds should not be used as an excuse for failing to serve citizens effectively.
The establishment of this office is a critical step towards ensuring that the government’s planning, budgeting, and execution functions operate in harmony to achieve the desired goals. By integrating the functions and ensuring proper coordination, Ruto believes that the government can effectively respond to challenges and deliver on its promises. “Consequently, our planning, budgeting, and execution functions must operate in closer harmony to achieve these goals,” he added, signaling a clear departure from past inefficiencies and a renewed commitment to excellence in public service.
In conclusion, President Ruto’s warning to his Cabinet Secretaries underscores his administration’s commitment to accountability and performance in governance. By holding his team accountable and creating mechanisms to support this accountability, Ruto aims to foster a culture of excellence within the public service. The performance contracts signed by the CSs are not just documents but tools for transformation, ensuring that every ministry, department, and agency contributes to a rising tide of inclusive prosperity. As the 2025/26 financial year approaches, all eyes will be on these performance report cards to see how well each CS has performed and whether they have met the targets set out in their contracts. This period marks a crucial phase in Kenya’s journey towards effective governance and development, and Ruto’s warning is a clear signal that there will be no room for excuses in this mission.
