Lawmakers allied to the United Opposition and the Linda Mwananchi movement have faulted cabinet secretaries in the current administration over their continued participation in partisan political activities instead of concentrating on their ministerial responsibilities.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the MPs expressed concern over what they described as the increasing involvement of cabinet secretaries in overt political activities.

“Equally troubling is the increasing participation of cabinet secretaries in overt partisan political activities. Cabinet secretaries are state officers entrusted with the administration of government ministries on behalf of the people of Kenya,” the statement, read by Mark Mwenje, read in part.

“Their constitutional duty is to implement public policy professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law.”

The lawmakers argued that cabinet secretaries are state officers entrusted with the administration of government ministries on behalf of the people of Kenya. They stated that their constitutional duty is to implement public policy professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law.

According to the MPs, the growing spectacle of cabinet secretaries functioning as political campaigners risks blurring the distinction between the State and the ruling party. They maintained that public office should never be converted into an instrument of partisan political mobilisation.

The legislators further stated that constitutional governance requires state officers to serve the Republic rather than political parties and to place public interest above partisan interests.

Call to action

They also argued that when cabinet secretaries spend increasing amounts of time engaging in political rallies, partisan messaging, and electoral mobilisation, legitimate questions arise regarding the constitutional boundaries between governance and political campaigning.

The opposition lawmakers maintained that Kenya deserves a government focused on solving national problems rather than one preoccupied with political campaigns and partisan activities.

Political surrogates

They also warned President William Ruto against delegating critical national issues to what they termed aspolitical surrogates.

“Mr President, another troubling feature of this administration has been the growing tendency to delegate serious matters of national importance to junior political officials and party functionaries,” the MPs stated.