President William Ruto has reassigned two Principal Secretaries in the latest changes within government.

In a press release on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the President invoked Article 155(4) of the Constitution to effect the changes under “Notification of Presidential Action No. IX of 2026.”

According to the statement, the re-assignments are intended to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of the immediate former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum and to ensure continuity in the administration and coordination of Government functions within the affected State Departments.

“HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT has this afternoon, pursuant to Article 155(4) of the Constitution, effected re-assignments within the rank of Principal Secretaries,” Koskei stated.

The new PS

According to the changes, Kello Harsama has been moved from the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development to the State Department for Petroleum.

At the same time, Dr Caroline W. Karugu, who currently serves as the Principal Secretary for East African Community (EAC) Affairs, has been designated as the Acting Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development in addition to her substantive role.

“Kello Harsama: Re-assigned from the State Department for the ASALs and Regional Development to the State Department for Petroleum,” Koskei noted.

“Dr Caroline W. Karugu: In addition to her substantive portfolio as the Principal Secretary for East African Community (EAC) Affairs, designated as the Acting Principal Secretary for the State Department for the ASALs and Regional Development.”

The changes take effect immediately.

Mohamed Liban’s resignation

Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban submitted his resignation in April 2026 after being named in the fuel scandal.

The resignations come as the government escalates a full inquiry into serious breaches, including the procurement of substandard emergency fuel at inflated prices in violation of the G2G framework. Officials also started disciplinary action against two more managers.

The government signed a government-to-government fuel supply agreement in 2023 with Aramco Trading Fujairah, ADNOC Global Trading Ltd, and Emirates National Oil Company Singapore Pte Limited. It introduced the deal after severe shortages in 2022 that caused long queues at filling stations and unsafe practices.