Concerns Rise Over Cost of Ruto’s Growing Government

President William Ruto’s recent nomination of new Principal Secretaries (PS) has sparked concerns over the increasing size of the Kenya Kwanza government and its financial burden on taxpayers. The Thursday announcement introduced seven new State Departments, further expanding an already sizeable administration.

New State Departments and Their Heads

The newly created departments include:

1. State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management (Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning) – Cyrell Wagunda Odede
2. State Department for National Government Co-ordination (Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary) – Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim
3. State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs (Office of the Attorney General) – Judith Pareno
4. State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation (Ministry of Education) – Abdulrazak Shaukut
5. State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development (Ministry of Roads and Transport) – Teresiah Mbaika
6. State Department for Special Programmes (Public Service Ministry) – Ismael Madey
7. State Department for Children Welfare Services (Ministry of Labour and Social Protection) – Carren Ageng’o Achieng

The Cost of Expanding Government

While these appointments are intended to enhance service delivery, critics argue that they come at a steep cost. A PS earns a gross monthly salary of Ksh.792,519, totaling Ksh.9.5 million annually. Additionally, certain PSs in critical ministries like Interior, Treasury, and Foreign Affairs receive a responsibility allowance of Ksh.100,000 per month, adding another Ksh.1.2 million annually.

Beyond salaries, PSs enjoy substantial benefits, including:

• Official Cars – Up to 3,000 cc vehicles, with additional costs for fuel, maintenance, and operation.
• Medical Cover – Inpatient care of Ksh.10 million, plus outpatient and maternity coverage.
• Life Insurance – Equivalent to three times their basic salary (around Ksh.2.3 million annually per PS).
• Low-Interest Loans – Up to Ksh.8 million for car loans and Ksh.35 million for mortgages at a 3% interest rate.
• Gratuity or Pension – A gratuity of 31% of annual salary, translating to millions per PS after their term.

The Hefty Price Tag for Taxpayers

With 51 PSs currently in office, the total cost of maintaining them for a year exceeds Ksh.765 million. This figure raises questions about fiscal prudence, especially as key public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure struggle with underfunding.

While the government insists these appointments are necessary for efficiency, critics argue that such expenditures are unsustainable for a country facing economic hardships. The debate continues as Kenyans weigh the benefits of these appointments against the cost of sustaining an expanding bureaucracy.

In other news: President Ruto Nominates 14 New Principal Secretaries

Concerns Rise Over Cost of Ruto’s Growing Government