State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has ordered all Cabinet Secretaries and State officials to reduce the number of personal assistants and advisers attached to them to one by Thursday this week.

In a letter addressed to the Cabinet dated Monday, July 8, Koskei referred to President William Ruto’s directive on Friday last week that sought to reduce the number of advisers in government by 50 per cent in order to improve efficiency and cut public expenditure.

Koskei said the move would also be in line with ensuring proper utility of public funds in a bid to restore public confidence and increase accountability on the side of the government.

“The Address outlined policy interventions aimed at ensuring that the sacrifices made by taxpayers are matched by fiscal discipline in the public service. The measures announced also seek to restore faith in public institutions by enhancing accountability, transparency, and the strengthening of good governance within them. In that regard, it is notified that the President directed that the number of advisers in government be reduced by 50% with immediate effect,” stated Koskei.

“By dint of that Presidential Action, the number of advisers assigned to each Cabinet Secretary has been revised from two to one. Additionally, the number of personal staff attached to you will remain as set out in the Public Service Commission guidelines being two (2) staffers.”

In light of the directive, the Head of Public Service also advised the Cabinet members to assess the office requirements and list the adviser or assistant that one needed to retain.

He said that the extra staff will consequently be phased out by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

“Consequently, you are requested to assess the requirements of your office and indicate the adviser you would wish to retain to support you in the discharge of your portfolio mandate,” he directed.

“Accordingly, and by way of this circular letter, you are directed to submit to the Public Service Commission the full name of the adviser to be retained, with a copy to this office by the close of business on Thursday, 11th July 2024.”

President Ruto last week committed to implement changes in the Cabinet and also announced a raft of austerity measures across various government agencies to align the country’s budgetary expenditure to the implications of the withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024 after pressure from the Gen Zs through protests.

Ruto also said that the decision to fill the position of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) effectively stands suspended, adding that the number of advisors attached to the Executive will be slashed by 50 per cent.

“Budget lines providing for the operations of the First Lady, the Spouse of the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary will be removed,” he announced then.

“Similarly, budget provisions for confidential budgets in various Executive offices including my own office have been removed, and the budget for the renovations across government reduced by 50 per cent.”