The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Friday called on President William Ruto to dismiss all Principal Secretaries and revoke the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
In a strongly-worded statement, the Commission asserted that the entire state and public service system required a comprehensive purge, recommending an audit of capacity and integrity across public service, alongside a mandatory wealth declaration process.
The KHRC deemed the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi unconstitutional, claiming the position was illegal. The Commission also noted that Mudavadi had reached the age of 60 and should resign in accordance with Ruto’s directive that officials aged 60 and above must step down.
President Ruto addressed leaders at State House Nairobi, acknowledging the Commission’s demands and the recent calls for government reforms during nationwide demonstrations.
“Upon reflection and listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have said and after holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges,” Ruto stated.
The KHRC urged the President to take action on recent atrocities, advocating for the prosecution of outgoing ministers and current security chiefs. “Those still serving must be ousted. Efforts must be made to blacklist and lustrate those responsible for violations and abuses,” the Commission emphasized.
Additionally, the Commission called for the recalling of all Members of Parliament who supported the Finance Bill 2024 and the dissolution of the current legislature. They demanded that the new cabinet adhere to constitutional requirements, including the two-thirds gender rule and fair representation of youth, persons with disabilities, and ethnic diversity.
“Every nominee for the new cabinet must be of impeccable integrity, as required by Article 73 of the Kenyan constitution. The vetting process must be rigorous and transparent,” stated KHRC.
The demands follow President Ruto’s recent dismissal of nearly all his cabinet secretaries, retaining only the deputy president and the Prime Cabinet Secretary, in response to public outcry during the recent demonstrations.
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