Ex-ministers accuse Executive of meddling in Cabinet roles

Former ministers Sicily Kariuki and Kipruto Arap Kirwa on Spice FM. [Screengrab]

Two former Cabinet ministers have accused President William Ruto's administration of interfering in ministerial functions, claiming this has stifled performance and undermined accountability.

Speaking on Spice FM on Friday, August 29, former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa and former Water and Sanitation Minister Sicily Kariuki said ministries are not being given the space to operate independently.

Kirwa contrasted Ruto's leadership style with that of former President Mwai Kibaki, saying the late Head of State allowed ministers to work without interference.

''You must allow people to do what they do best. Give them room, because during my five years as a minister in Kibaki's government, I received only three phone calls from him. He allowed us to do our work without interference," Kirwa said.

''This president that we have is a manager of every ministry; he knows more than all the CSs and the PSs in the ministry, and that's where the problem is."

The former minister also accused Ruto of shaping a political narrative around anti-corruption ahead of the next election.

"By refusing to let institutions operate independently, scandals like Adani and the missing billions in e-Citizen thrive. He may jail a few ministers to shift blame, but accountability rests with him. He remains the main culprit," he said.

Kariuki claimed Ruto has failed to deliver on his promises and presides over a government where corruption has grown "bolder."

"We have seen corruption in its grandest form, arrogance at the top, denial beyond measure, and above all, misuse of resources invested in the wrong areas," she said.

She urged the president to fulfill his campaign pledges, end extrajudicial killings, focus on development, and address Kenyans with empathy.

She also appealed to the media to resist intimidation and continue holding the government accountable.

Kariuki served as minister in the health, youth, and water and sanitation dockets under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, while Kirwa represented Cherangany Constituency in Parliament and served as Agriculture Minister between 2003 and 2008.