President William Ruto held a three-day retreat with members of his Cabinet last week at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. The meeting, which took place from Thursday to Saturday, brought together Cabinet and principal secretaries, as well as a team of advisors in the Kenya Kwanza government. Delegates who attended the event have described it as a rigorous affair, with President Ruto starting each day’s sessions on time and running them until 9 p.m. each night.
On Friday, some principal secretaries were denied entry to the meeting room after arriving after the Head of State. According to a source, these individuals had to wait for the tea break to join the day’s second session, which was open to the media. During this open session, President Ruto issued a stern warning to his Cabinet, ordering them to clear their desks daily and cut bureaucracy in government operations. He also gave assignments to all ministries, requiring them to list priority projects, timelines, and funding plans.
Saturday’s program included cluster group discussions and a plenary session, where ministries were required to identify their priority projects for 2023, their implementation timelines, and their costs. According to a source, some Cabinet and principal secretaries had already left for Nairobi on Saturday, but were given the option to return to Nanyuki or leave their jobs altogether. These individuals complied and returned for the day’s meetings, which began at 7 a.m. and saw attendees rushing to catch up with the president.
Overall, President Ruto’s retreat appears to have been a demanding and fast-paced affair, with a focus on efficiency and clear communication. The Kenya Kwanza government is currently laying the groundwork for its five-year term, and it seems that President Ruto is determined to ensure that his team is up to the task