President William Ruto (centre) alongside DP Rigathi Gachagua (right) and Secretary to the Cabinet, Mercy Wanjau during the opening of a two-day retreat Cabinet retreat in Nairobi.[PCS]

President William Ruto on Thursday, November 16 led his Cabinet in a two-day retreat in Nairobi to assess the progress of the Kenya Kwanza administration in the first year in office.

The retreat, which comes at a time when Kenyans grappling with the cost of living and excessive taxation, is expected to review the performance of each ministry and discuss how to deliver on the Kenya Kwanza agenda.

The event dubbed the 'National Executive Pitstop retreat,' has been promoted as a chance for the cabinet to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the Kenya Kwanza government.

The retreat, which is being held at the Edge Convention Center in South C, Nairobi, began with digital registration followed by an opening session led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who gave introductory remarks.

Cabinet members, Principal Secretaries, and advisors are in attendance, with each ministry expected to outline its hits and misses for the year and discuss how they can improve to deliver on their campaign promises.

CSs Salim Mvurya (Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs), Florence Bore (Labour), and Simon Chelugui (Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) during a two-day Cabinet retreat. [PCS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to close the day's first session.

The retreat, which is the second of its kind after the first one held in Nanyuki in January, will run until Friday and will cover various issues such as strategy execution, communication, cybersecurity, performance contracting, and budget revenue outlook.

Some of the cabinet secretaries who will lead the sessions include Salim Mvurya (Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs), Alfred Mutua (Tourism and Wildlife), Ababu Namwamba (Foreign Affairs and International Trade), Alice Wahome (Lands and Physical Planning), and Kithure Kindiki (Interior and Coordination of National Government).

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau, Pubic Service CS Moses Kuria, and the Chair of the Presidential Council of Economic Advisors, David Ndii will also attend.

Ruto, who has been championing the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda, said that evaluation and consultation are essential to the success of the initiative.