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KANU’s Political Affairs Secretary Fredrick Okango has weighed in on the alleged competency levels of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) serving in President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, August 7, 2023, Okang’o affirmed that the competency levels within the Executive and the Legislature were worrying owing to the level of ‘mismanagement’ which he says has contributed to the issues affecting the country.

“Generally we have seen a situation where the country is suffering because of mismanagement both at the Executive and Legislature level,” he said.

He wondered why the President has not dismissed some of the CSs despite acknowledging their ‘incapability’ to appropriately serve in their capacities.

“Ruto himself admitted to the world and to the public that some of his CSs don’t actually know what they are doing and that he actually knows more than them. He also admitted that there were others who came late(SIC).

“That points to the fact that the suitability, competency and personal integrity of the CSs is in question and therefore in his own view they are not fit to hold such offices, I am wondering why he has not fired them up to now,” Okango added.

Ruto and his CSs

Ruto had earlier chided his CSs claiming that some were clueless about what was going on in their respective dockets.

The President was speaking during the signing of performance contracts at the State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

“I call many PSs and ask them what is going on here and they have no clue and this is your department, that is the job that you have; you are not a messenger, you are not a security person, you are not photographer, you are not a watchman,” he said.

“You are the PS or the minister and you don’t have information, how do you run a ministry, a department, or a parastatal if you have no information? That is the highest level of incompetence,” he added.

He also furiously castigated a section of CSs who had arrived late for the function.

“I don’t know whether it is because these performance contracts have been going on for 20 years that many people may be mistakenly think that it is a ritual and that is why people resort to the old incompetent excuses that there was traffic for them not to be in the most important public function,” Ruto stated.

Adding: “We have a job because we have a contract. If you cannot keep time with your employer you have basically dismissed yourself. I mean it is just simple as that. So those who came late, who are members of the Executive, I would be expecting a written explanation and it should not include matters of traffic, on why they do not take this performance seriously,” Ruto said.