President William Ruto has thrust the debate on competence into the centre of his decision-making in statecraft. Given his position, the President is not only the country’s Commander-in-Chief but also the State human resources director.

In executing his mandate, the President is principally guided by the tenets of the Constitution, which he swore to uphold and protect.

The Head of State bears the primary mandate of recruiting the country’s top decision-making organ, the Executive. Sitting at the apex of governance, members of the Executive make decisions with far-reaching implications on national security, stability and public good. His decisions in the choice of Cabinet Secretaries are supposed to be exercised in accordance with Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity and Article 10, which captures the national values and principles of governance.

The national values include patriotism, national unity, sharing and devolution of power, the rule of law, democracy and participation of the people.

Others include human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised, good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability, and sustainable development.

It was therefore interesting the President said that former Attorney General Justin Muturi, whom he fired the other day as Public Service Service Cabinet Secretary, had been incompetent in his role as AG.

According to Ruto, Muturi failed to handle the legal aspect concerning the establishment of a commission that was to manage an Islamic endowment.

Muturi has defended himself against the accusations.

But it is a well known fact that Muturi was sacked as minister, not because of incompetence, but for his strong criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration following a spate of abductions in Kenya, especially after Gen Z protests last year.

This is a clear case of doublespeak. While Ruto has demoted some of his ministers, he has not ridiculed them. Instead, he has given them safe landing grounds as advisers and ambassadors.

If the President is serious about competency, all his former Cabinet ministers who now serve in different roles should be shown the door. Ruto must lead by example.