Ruku defends cabinet secretaries’ political engagements amid criticism
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 1, 2025Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programs Geoffrey Ruku has defended his counterparts engaging in political activities.
This comes even as cabinet secretaries in President William Ruto’s administration face criticism for what many view as excessive involvement in politics at the expense of their ministerial duties.
Speaking during a live interview on a local television station on Monday night, September 1, 2025, CS Ruku dismissed the notion that cabinet members are neglecting policy work for political showmanship. Responding to questions about accusations that ministers were prioritising electoral politics over implementation, Ruku argued that politics and policy are intertwined.
“Any government in the world is politically formed,” he said. “President William Ruto campaigned, did politics, and was given the mandate by Kenyans to govern. Our responsibility as Cabinet Secretaries is not only to implement policy but also to ensure Kenyans understand what the government is doing.”
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Whistling to prove accountability
The CS likened the situation to feeding a blind person who doubts whether food is being shared.
“For them to be sure you are not eating their food, you must whistle while feeding them. Likewise, Kenyans must constantly hear from us about what we are doing in office. We cannot remain confined behind desks from eight to five and expect citizens to know about progress,” he explained.
Ruku maintained that public participation, a constitutional principle, requires active outreach.
“Policies and regulations have been nullified in the courts because of lack of public participation. As a minister, I must go out and tell Kenyans what the ministry is doing and what it plans to do,” he said, dismissing claims that such outreach amounts to politicking.
His defence comes at a time when the Ruto Cabinet continues to face scrutiny on multiple fronts. Health CS Aden Duale is battling threats over the troubled Social Health Authority, while Treasury CS John Mbadi has also been forced to defend the administration against claims of mismanagement. Former CS Fred Matiang’i has even sharpened his political ambitions, accusing the government of betraying Kenyans.