CSs Mbadi, Wahome effect radical changes in their dockets

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Land counterpart, Alice Wahome on Saturday announced fresh changes in their dockets in a fresh attempt to increase service delivery.

The changes by the two cabinet secretaries were made through the Kenya Gazette. In a Gazette Notice dated September 6, 2024, Mbadi sent home four officials; Martha Opisa Okochil, Louis Karisa, Ruth Jerotich and Tom Okundi who served as trustees to the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust.

The Trust is a national pension scheme established by the government to assist informal sector workers countrywide.

In their replacement, Mbadi appointed four new members; Irene Githiga (Federation of Matatu Drivers and Conductors Association), Kevin Bwire Mubadi (Kenya National Boda Boda Association), Joseph Kisoro Ogola (Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association) and Teresia Njenga (Mitumba Association).

The new appointees will serve for three years, effective immediately. Out of the four fired officials, two were, however, appointed by Health CS Deborah Barasa to become members of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council for three years.

These include Ruth Jerotich and Tom Okundi. Another official, Louis Karisa, was also appointed to become a member of the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board for three years by Public Service CS Justin Muturi.

In Wahome's docket, he fired eight officials who served as members of the Lamu West Land Control Board.

They are Julia Wamboi Njuguna, Ali Omar Mohammed, Simon Muguro Mwarania, Julia Wamaitha Kimani, John Mbugua Njoka, Zeinabu Gobu Wako, James Muriithi Ngiriri and Cecilia Wanjiku Ng'ang'a.

The new officials appointed by Wahome to replace those fired are Samoe Farouk Fadhil (County Physical Planner), Moses Kiarie Wanjiku, Omar Bakari Ibrahim, Nasra Abdurehman Omar, Biha Wanje Baya, Maalim Fadhili Maalim and Abubakar Masoud Rashid,

They will serve for 2 years and 6 months, effective immediately. The changes come as pressure keeps piling on President William Ruto's cabinet to deliver on their promises following nationwide protests in the past two months whereby the public expressed disaffection on the Kenya Kwanza regime.

During vetting for his position, Mbadi promised radical changes in various dockets under his portfolio. For instance, he pledged to implement radical changes at the Kenya Revenue Authority to curb tax leakages and enhance collection efficiency.

The vetting committee, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, had sought to understand how Mbadi plans to increase tax revenue without imposing additional burdens on Kenyans, who have resisted further taxation, particularly on basic commodities.

Put to task by Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah to explain to Kenyans how he will ensure that revenue projections from the Treasury are as realistic as possible, Mbadi, on Saturday, explained the need for an overhaul of systems at the tax collection body.

Mbadi has already met officials of KRA as he promised to ensure that systems at the tax collector are automated to prevent leakages.