This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 23, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta made significant changes to the structure of the Executive, reorganizing state departments and agencies to support the implementation of the Big Four Agenda.
As part of the changes, the President merged the State Department for Irrigation with the State Department for Water and Sanitation, and the State Department for Interior with the State Department for Citizen Services.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i will now be responsible for coordinating the delivery of national priorities and flagship programs, including efforts to achieve national cohesion.
The changes, outlined in Executive Order Number Six of 2019, grant the Cabinet Secretary significant powers affecting state corporations and the day-to-day running of government.
According to the order, the State Department for Interior and Citizen Services will be established by merging the State Department for Interior and the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services. The new department will be domiciled within the Ministry of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government.
Dr. Matiang'i's new role builds on his appointment earlier in the year as chairman of the National Development Implementation and Communication Committee, comprising all ministers.
Additionally, the Irrigation department has been transferred from the Agriculture ministry to the Ministry of Water, headed by Simon Chelugui. This move aims to enhance synergy within the Water Sector, a key enabler for the implementation of the Big Four Agenda.
