President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 27, chaired his first Cabinet meeting since taking oath of office a fortnight ago.
In a statement, the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) said the meeting took place at State House Nairobi.
All Cabinet Secretaries, who served in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, attended the meeting.
The CSs include Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Peter Munya (Agriculture) and Eugene Wamalwa (Defence), who openly campaigned against Ruto in the presidential election conducted on August 9.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Attorney General Kihara Kariuki and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua were also present.
Ruto is yet to unveil his Cabinet.
Last week, the government barred all the outgoing CSs and Principal Secretaries from foreign travel.
Ruto bars Uhuru’s CSs from foreign travel
In a memo, Kinyua said foreign travel by the civil servants had been suspended unless sanctioned by the new Head of State.
“Foreign Travel by Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries is further suspended unless as sanctioned by the Head of State and Government,” Kinyua said in a communique directed to the Attorney General, all CSs and PSs dated September 19.
Kinyua said the officials will remain in office until Ruto unveils his team.
During the transition period, however, the roles of the state officials will be limited to general administration and stewardship over the ministerial portfolio.
The CSs, Kinyua said, shall not cause any appointments of members of Board Management of State Corporations or State Agencies or order any ministerial redeployments or any new appointments in any ranks within Ministries and State Departments.
“Ministries, State Departments, and State Agencies (MDAs) shall not issue any new policy pronouncements unless as sanctioned by H.E. the President,” he added.
Further, the ministers shall not effect payments exceeding Ksh50 million without prior approval and verification by the National Treasury.
