Ruto calls out CSs, PSs for lack of sufficient information

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto has expressed dissatisfaction with some of the Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and Principal Secretaries (PSs) for lack of sufficient information, concerning their ministries and departments.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi during CSs, PSs and head of parastatals performance contract signing event on Tuesday, Ruto wondered how they will advise him, if he is more informed than they are.

"I speak to many of you on phone. Many times, I call you to my office, we interact. In different places, I ask you questions, you know that, on programs, on projects. And, I find, that many of you, the people I speak to don't even know what is going on in your ministries or departments. You have very scant information," said the president.

"The moment I know more than you in your ministry, then, you must begin to understand that something is very wrong. Because, by constitution, you are supposed to advise me."

"Explain to me how you are going to advise me if you have less information than I do. Who is going to be advising who? I call many PSs, I ask them 'what's going on here?' They have no clue. And this is your department. That is the job that you have," added the Head of State.

He reminded them that it is not possible to run any government entity without information.

"You are not a messenger; you are not a security person; you are not a photographer; you are not a watchman; you are the PS. Or the minister. And the job of the minister and the PS, you don't know. Or you don't have information. How do you run a ministry or a department or a parastatal if you have no information? That is the highest level of incompetence."

Some officials including CSs and PSs who arrived late were locked out of the exercise, with Ruto demanding for a written explanation.