The State Department for the Arid and Semi Arid Lands (Asals) Principal Secretary Kello Harsam has been moved to the Petroleum department in a mini-reshuffle by President William Ruto on Thursday.
Mr Harsam takes over the State Department of Petroleum from former PS Mohamed Liban, who tendered his resignation on April 4, alongside other top bosses following a massive shake-up in the energy sector linked to suspected irregularities and fuel importation scandal.
The PS for the East African Community (EAC) Affairs, Dr Caroline Karugu, in addition to her duties, will succeed Mr Harsam in acting capacity, in the recent changes announced by the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The two PSs reassignments take effect immediately and are in line with the Constitution, stated the Office of the President in a presser seen by the Nation .
“His Excellency the President has this afternoon, pursuant to Article 155 (4) of the Constitution, effected reassignments within the rank of Principal Secretaries,” read the press release titled ‘Re-Assignment of Principal Secretaries.’
The presser signed by Mr Koskei stated that: “PS Harsma reassigned from the State Department for the ASALs and Regional Development to the State Department for Petroleum.”
Dr Karugu, in addition to her substantive portfolio as the PS for EAC Affairs, designated as the acting PS for the State Department for the Asals and Regional Development.”
The effected changes, according to Public Service chief, are aimed at filling the gap that was left following former PS Liban resignation as well as to ensure the affected departments continue operating.
“The reassignments are intended to fill the vacancy arising from the resignation of the immediate former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Petroleum and to ensure continuity in the administration and coordination of government functions within the affected State Departments.”
The developments come against the backdrop of a major Sh12 billion fuel procurement scandal that dragged in former Energy and Petroleum Authority (Epra) Director-General Daniel Kiptoo and former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Managing Director Joe Sang.
At least 20 individuals, including the two bosses, recorded statements at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
