- On Wednesday, October 8, Principal Secretary for Special Programmes Ismail Maalim praised President William Ruto’s administration
- Speaking in the US, Maalim explained why people from northern Kenya are, for the first time, feeling part of the government
- The PS listed some of the high-ranking government jobs that Ruto has assigned to people from his region
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Principal Secretary for Special Programmes Ismail Maalim has lauded President William Ruto for involving leaders from northern Kenya in his administration.
Source: Twitter
During a meeting with Kenyans in the diaspora from northern Kenya, Maalim said this is the first time since independence that the region is feeling part of the government.
Why Ismail Maalim praised William Ruto
“Since independence, we have had, I think, this is the fifth administration. We had the senior Kenyatta. We had Moi. We had Kibaki. We had Uhuru Kenyatta, the junior Kenyatta. This is the fifth administration. And since independence, this is the first time the people from the region we come from, Northern Kenya, can comfortably say, this is our government,” Maalim said.
Maalim praised Ruto for appointing leaders from the region to crucial government positions, including cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries.
“For the first time, we have had enough representation at the senior level of government. We have a minister, and every county or district, if you like, has a permanent secretary, a position like mine. Every county has a PS in President William Ruto’s government in our region, for the first time in 60-something years. That makes it our government,” he stated.
The PS hit out at politicians criticising the president for appointing people from the north-eastern region to crucial positions, including in the security sector.
“And today, you have heard people mock His Excellency the president for giving the people from your region very sensitive, very senior, and very important positions in his government, especially in the security sector. Isn’t that your government? For the first time,” he said.
Why PS Maalim was happy with the diaspora community
At the same time, Maalim noted that diaspora remittances have now surpassed Kenya’s traditional cash crops such as coffee and tea, becoming one of the leading sources of foreign exchange for the nation.
Source: Facebook
The PS emphasised that Ruto’s administration recognises the importance of the diaspora community, which is why the government established a dedicated State Department for Diaspora Affairs to address their needs and strengthen their engagement with Kenya’s development agenda.
”You have shaped, through your hard work, through your remittance, and through your continued commitment, you have shaped the development and economy of our country. And the president categorically asked me to say thank you to you on his behalf for the good work that you are doing. And he has asked me to remind you that the diaspora remittance today has overtaken our traditional cash crops, coffee and tea in earning the country foreign exchange,” he added.
Ruto scraps vetting of ID for North Eastern residents
Meanwhile, the president was praised after he scrapped a 60-year-old vetting requirement for Northeastern ID applicants.
While speaking on the second day of his tour in the North Eastern Region, Ruto affirmed that ensuring no region is left behind is one of his priorities for Kenya’s transformation.
He expressed regret over the profiling of North Eastern residents and reiterated the government’s commitment to ending marginalisation and discrimination, particularly in issuing key documents like identification cards and birth certificates.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
