In the wake of youth-led anti-government protests, President William Ruto is under scrutiny for appointing additional advisors despite previous promises to cut government spending. The protests, driven largely by the youth—often referred to as 'Gen Zs'—were sparked by harsh tax policies and demands for economic reforms. In response, President Ruto had committed to implementing austerity measures, including reducing the number of government advisors by 50% to ease the financial strain on the state.
On July 5, 2024, during a national address, President Ruto announced, "The number of advisors in government shall be reduced by 50 percent within the public service with immediate effect," as part of broader efforts to realize the new budget and address economic grievances. The protests had paralyzed the country for over a month, prompting the government to promise significant concessions aimed at cutting public expenditure.
However, despite these promises, President Ruto recently appointed former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo to key advisory roles. Moses Kuria has joined the council of economic advisors led by Dr. David Ndii, while Eliud Owalo has been appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management. Additionally, Dennis Itumbi has been named head of the Creative Economy and Special Projects Office in the Office of the President.
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Head of Public Service Felix Kosgei defended the appointments, stating, "The new appointees will play a crucial role in supporting the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Agenda (BETA) and will be responsible for the effective and efficient implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of priority projects and initiatives of the government."
These appointments have sparked controversy, raising concerns about the consistency between President Ruto's commitments and actions, especially given the country's financial challenges. Critics argue that bringing back former cabinet secretaries contradicts the administration's earlier stance on reducing government spending and streamlining operations.
Political analyst Jane Mwangi remarked, "These appointments send mixed signals about the government's commitment to fiscal discipline. At a time when the country is grappling with economic challenges, expanding the advisory team seems counterintuitive to the promised austerity measures."
Supporters of the President, however, argue that the expertise and experience of the new appointees are crucial for advancing the government's economic agenda. They contend that these strategic appointments are necessary to ensure the successful implementation of policies aimed at economic recovery and growth.
As the debate continues, many citizens are seeking further clarification from the government on how these appointments align with the previously stated goals of reducing public expenditure and addressing the economic concerns that fueled the protests.
