Economy

Uhuru tells CSs to stop sideshows and work

uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta. FILE PHOTO | NMG

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered Cabinet secretaries to stop sideshows and work after disclosing his secret dealings ahead of the launch of the Kenya Coast Guard Service.

Mr Kenyatta on Monday said he avoided involving the ministers in the formation of the Kenya Coast Guard Service in Liwatoni, Mombasa, because “I knew they would have cited a huge amount of money for the same.

“I knew they will start telling me about billions required and other stories. I started the plans with General Samson Mwathethe (Chief of Kenya Defence Forces) quietly as we knew some people will bring up some politics here and there,” he said.

The Head of State said the CSs should personally oversee projects, including inspecting building of roads, and not just sit in their offices.

Just like he made a quiet working visit to the Coast some time back, making impromptu visits and inspecting projects — catching government officials unawares — President Kenyatta said the CSs should ensure service delivery the same way.

Mr Kenyatta said that, together with General Mwathethe, he made night visits to Liwatoni Fisheries Complex to recover the fish landing site.

“We used to go round at night and some of you did not even know that we were here and we finished our work and left knowing what we had planned. Why can’t CSs do the same?" he asked.

He told CSs that being a government official does not mean just attending meetings. "It means going to the ground and supervising projects and asking questions about stalled ones.

“The only thing we want to do is to see ourselves on TV and newspapers.

“We need to work for these people. We have been given those positions so that we can work for them,” he said.