Tough Times Ahead for Taxpayers as Ruto’s New PSs Inflate Govt Costs

President William Ruto

President William Ruto’s nomination of new Principal Secretaries (PS) has sparked debate over the expanding Kenya Kwanza administration and its financial implications for taxpayers. 

The appointments, announced on Thursday, March 20, created seven new State Departments, raising questions about the cost of maintaining a growing government bureaucracy.

The State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management is among the newly established departments, under the National Treasury, with Cyrell Wagunda Odede as the nominee. 

The State Department for National Government Coordination, under the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, will be led by Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim. 

Judith Pareno has been nominated to head the newly created State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs within the Office of the Attorney General.

Other additions include the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, with Abdulrazak Shaukut as the nominee. 

President William Ruto speaking during a Cabinet meeting

At the same time, the Ministry of Roads and Transport now houses the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, to be led by Teresiah Mbaika. 

The Public Service Ministry will oversee the State Department for Special Programmes, headed by Ismael Madey, while the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection now includes the State Department for Children Welfare Services, with Carren Ageng'o Achieng as the nominee.

The cost of hiring a PS extends beyond their basic salary. According to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), each PS earns a gross monthly salary of Ksh.792,519, totaling Ksh.9.5 million annually. 

Those in key ministries such as Interior and National Treasury receive an additional Ksh.100,000 monthly as a responsibility allowance.

Beyond salaries, PSs benefit from official vehicles, comprehensive medical insurance, group life insurance, subsidized car and mortgage loans, and a lucrative gratuity package upon leaving office. 

These benefits push the total cost of employing a single PS to over Ksh.15 million annually. 

With 51 PSs now in place, taxpayers will bear an annual cost of approximately Ksh.765 million.