Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended President William Ruto’s appointment of multiple advisors, asserting that there is no legal cap on the number of advisors a president can hire.
Speaking to a local TV station on the night of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Mbadi emphasised that while the law permits the president to appoint advisors, it does not stipulate a maximum number.
In addition, Mbadi stated that the law only allocates the maximum number of cabinet secretaries the president can appoint.
“The law allows the president to hire advisors; however, there is no provision in terms of the numbers, what the people of Kenya did to allocate to the president the maximum number of cabinet members, but in terms of advisors, if you go to the law, it is left open,” Mbadi said.
Regarding recent government directives to reduce the number of advisors by 50 per cent, the Treasury CS clarified that this directive does not apply to the presidency, adding that other government officials have implemented a blanket reduction in advisory positions.
“Government advisors have been cut by 50 per cent, and that circular did not affect the presidency because the cabinet secretary for treasury cannot issue a circular to the president,” he added.
Ruto’s advisors
This defence comes amid ongoing discussions about the size and cost of the president’s advisory teams.
From about seven advisors, the number has risen to about 17 in just over 10 months, with more signings during the broad-based exchange programme.
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Ruto appointed Professor Makau Mutua as the Senior Advisor of Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President, just a week after the son of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, Jaoko Oburu, was named the president’s special advisor on economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
“I have appointed Prof Makau Mutua as the Senior Advisor of Constitutional Affairs in the Executive Office of the President. Prof Mutua brings a wealth of experience in legal, constitutional and human rights matters. Congratulations Prof Mutua. I welcome you to join a dynamic team of public servants in the implementation of our Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” Ruto stated.
The other advisors include Prof. Abdi Guliye, Dominic Menjo, Nancy Laiboni, Henry Kinyua, Steven Otieno, David Ndii, Augustine Cheruiyot, Moses Kuria, Mohamed Hassan, Prof. Adams Oloo, Joe Ager, Dr. Silverstone Okumu, Prof. Edward Kisiangani, Harriete Chiggai and Kennedy Ogeto.
