The Kenyan government has introduced a new administrative directive requiring that all presidential instructions to ministries, state departments, agencies, and state corporations be routed exclusively through the office of Felix Koskei, the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service.

Issued on July 14, the circular mandates that no presidential directives intended for implementation by government entities should be communicated outside this channel unless explicitly authorized by President William Ruto. This move aims to eliminate confusion caused by multiple communication pathways and ensure consistency in the execution of government policies.

Key Provisions of the Directive

  • All presidential orders must be transmitted under the official hand of Koskei’s office.
  • Ministries and agencies are instructed to implement only those directives received through this centralized channel.
  • Implementation reports on presidential directives must also be submitted via Koskei’s office.
  • Draft communications, along with explanatory notes, are to be submitted for vetting before transmission.
  • Communications from constitutional commissions and independent offices to ministries must be copied to the Head of Public Service, except for National Treasury circulars and statutory reports, which are exempt.

Rationale Behind Centralization

The directive responds to concerns about the inconsistent and sometimes unclear transmission of presidential instructions, which has led to uncertainty and potential duplication of efforts within government agencies. Koskei noted that the previous system risked undermining public confidence in official communications and created opportunities for conflicting instructions.

While the circular centralizes administrative communication, it does not limit the President’s constitutional authority to issue directives through any lawful means or restrict the mandates of constitutional commissions and independent offices.

This policy is expected to enhance accountability, coordination, and clarity in the handling of presidential orders, thereby improving government efficiency.