Lobby group challenges President William Ruto for making many ‘unlawful’ State appointments rather than development as promised
OLJ claimed Ruto do not have clear plan for development despite having many promises which visavisas state appointments
Prof Fred Ogola led organisation wants inclusivity and affirmative action be also addressed questioning exclusion of persons with disabilities in Ruto’s Cabinet
Operation Linda Jamii have launched a scathing attack to President William Ruto on the appointment of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi which has no constitutional blessings
In a statement to newsrooms on Monday 14th August, the fierce lobby group demanded the revocation of the said office including that of Harriette Chiggai as Cabinet Secretary, President’s Women Rights advisor as well as Monica Juma as Cabinet Secretary, security advisor
They termed the three positions as unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional which ought to be challenging before the court and be declared null and void
“We believe the creation of the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary as unconstitutional illegal and unlawful since the creation of the said office is tantamount to amending and altering the basic structure of the executive arm of government by creating two Principal Assistants to the President in violations of Article 147(1) of the constitution,” Read part of the statement
They added that the creation of the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to assist the President and the Deputy President in the day to day running of the government is akin to creating a second office of the Deputy President, who by law is the only Principal Assistant to the President
“Whereas Article 153 (2) of the constitution is instructive that Cabinet Secretary are individually and collectively accountable to the President for their actions and ommissions, the executive order No 1 of 2023 dated 6th January 2023 only elevates the Secretary as an assistant to the President with no accountability reference as is required by law thus making office violative of Article 153 (2) of the constitution,” They added
Divulging more details, Organization’s Chairperson, Prof Fred Ogola, questioned why President Ruto did not involve public participation as to the creation of the offices if he meant well for the taxpayer’s burden
“The total cost of running these unconstitutional offices if not stopped by the courts, will cost out taxpayer’s money a minimum of Sh3.9 billion in Ruto’s first term and up to Sh9 billion if he succeeds to serve second term,” Ogalo stated pleading honourable court to pronounce itself on the matter
They also took issue with the requirement by constitution that all appointive positions be it public or private must meet 5 percent of the people living with disabilities thereby challenging Ruto’s prerogative not to follow the law
“We in fact challenge the entire constitutive composition of the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya for failing to comply with the constitution dictates on gender balance, inclusion of persons with disabilities and youths,”