President William Ruto has said that ‘the government will look for senior retired citizens to help in the management of the country’.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, during the swearing in of the former Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji, as the new Director General of National Intelligence Service (NIS), Ruto revealed that he had informed the former NIS Director General Philip Kameru of his intentions to work with him and other senior citizens to help in government management.

“As I informed you, we will be looking for senior citizens like yourself, people who have served in senior government officials, to support the country in many other aspects, because the experience you have gathered, the knowledge that you have, is useful for the country going into the future.

“We will be looking out for you as we do others, to help us in the management of the country going into the future, Ruto said.

Philip Kameru

Additionally, Ruto applauded the retired NIS Director General Philip Kameru for his diligent service, adding that ‘the loyalty he showed during his tenure was unmatched’. ” We must all agree that he has served the country with diligence, loyalty and patriotism.”

Ruto also gave his best wishes to the retired NIS Director, as he showered him with more heartfelt compliments. “Mr Kameru, as you retire to do other assignments, both personal and public, you have our good will.

The president was clearly wowed by the service rendered by Kameru, going further ahead to state the tough times in which the former NIS Director General operated. “Congratulations for serving the country in a very outstanding manner, in a difficult time, in a very complicated geopolitical arena, with terrorism and many other things that come,” the president added.

In his speech, Ruto also revealed that he had requested Kameru to extend his services to the current regime, until everything was settled to allow a smooth transition. He further tendered his gratitude to Kameru for heading to his request.

“We are grateful you managed the affairs of the country, supported the former administration and you have supported this administration. When I requested you to stay on until many thigs are together, you were gracious enough to accept and I am truly grateful,” Ruto concluded.

Ruto congratulates Haji

During the swearing in ceremony, Ruto also took the chance to congratulate the newly appointed NIS Director General Noordin Haji on his new job, which he said ‘was an appointment by merit’.

The president also affirmed the office of the NIS Director General as ‘an important arm of the security agencies of the republic of Kenya’. He further expressed his confidence in Haji, stating that ‘the experience he has gathered over the years,’ places him in a vantage position to discharge his duties.

“Having worked in the intelligence service for many years and having served in other government officials for many years including that of the DPP, I am confident that you have assembled the requisite knowledge, understanding and experience to be able to discharge your responsibility.

Ruto on tough economic times

Ruto also mentioned that Haji assumes office at a time when the country and the globe is experiencing several challenges.

“At a time when the world is experiencing at a time when the world is experiencing a multiplicity of challenges ranging from conflict as a result of climate change, resource constraints, the big issue around terror around the globe and in our region and many other security challenges that affect us,” Ruto said.

He went ahead to insist that the the tough economic times are being experienced globally. “We have an economic situation globally that requires very delicate management and a lot of intelligence is necessary so that we can better manage the affairs of the country, the security of the country even manage in the best way possible, the economy of our country and other aspects of our nation,” the president remarked.

Ruto – New dawn

Ruto also stated that the country, Kenya is ‘approaching a new begining that promises everyone a good future, but insisted that the possibilities can only be actualized through collecting enough intelligence that will help to better manage the country.

“I am looking forward to working with you together with other collueges from the security sector. Kenya is at a new dawn and we are all looking forward to a brighter future and that must be informed by information , the correct understanding and analysis of all the situations that come with it,” Ruto added.