Ministry to reduce directors in new structure

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: At least seven previously stand-alone dockets in the former Coalition Government could be merged under the newly established Ministry of Devolution and Planning in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Government.

Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru revealed that the new Ministry under the current Office of the President would be an amalgamation of several ministries including; Planning, Local Government, among others.

Addressing Heads of Directorates and Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAS) serving within the previous Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, Ms. Waiguru noted that as a result of the new government structure, restructuring of the Ministry’s operations was imminent to ensure focus and efficiency, including the downsizing of the number of directorates.

“There are certain critical directorates that must be retained but it is impractical to run a Ministry that has numerous heads of directorates. We therefore really need to be bold and objective to pursue the wider national interest as we rationalize,” she said.

Ms. Waiguru who was accompanied by Planning Permanent Secretary Dr. Edward Sambili, urged Government employees to seize this unique opportunity to consider how best to individually contribute to driving the national agenda. She said that her Ministry would be responsible for driving public service reforms and thus would play an active role in the anticipated Government restructuring.

“We are moving towards a leaner and more efficient Government. As the Ministry in charge of public reforms we have to lead by example considering that the number of Ministries has been reduced from 44 to 18 and therefore we cannot retain the previous structure,” she added.

However, the CS reassured Government employees of their job security and underscored that rationalization should not be misconstrued to mean loss of jobs.

“There’s more work than we can handle and thus there will be immense opportunities for staff,” she said citing other areas in Government, which required economists and planners.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Edward Sambili urged the heads of directorates and SAGAS to urgently work on the proposed structures.