Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, has defended President William Ruto’s number of advisors, stating that there is no legal limit to how many the Head of State can appoint.
According to Mbadi, while a directive has been issued to
reduce advisors in Ministries by 50%, the Office of the President is exempt.
“The law allows the President to hire advisors. There is no
specific number provided,” Mbadi said during a televised town hall on Citizen
TV’s Explainer on Monday.
“The people of Kenya capped the number of Cabinet
Secretaries, not advisors.”
He added that the circular limiting advisors was issued by
the National Treasury and only applies to ministries and departments, not the
presidency.
“Only the President or the Head of Public Service can issue
directives affecting the Office of the President,” he said.
Mbadi noted that the cuts are being implemented elsewhere,
saying, “Today I only have one advisor. My predecessor had two.”
His comments come amid public concern over the cost of
maintaining presidential advisors.
Reports estimate that over Ksh. 1 billion is spent annually
on salaries and operations for the advisors at State House.
The number has reportedly risen from seven to 17 in the past
year.
Recent high-profile appointees include Prof. Makau Mutua and
Jaoko Oburu, son of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.
Critics argue that the growing list undermines the Government’s
cost-cutting efforts and mirrors none of the restraint shown during former
President Kibaki’s era.
To put it into perspective, late Kibaki
appointed only three advisors during his last term, among them Raphael Tuju on
media matters and Prof. Kivutha Kibwana on youth and constitutional affairs.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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