On Thursday, November 28, President Ruto publicly called out directors of 34 state agencies for dragging their feet on his directive to digitize key government services.
The President called out the officials for enabling what he described as a lack of transparency in public fund utilization.
Speaking at the First Anniversary of the eCitizen Directorate at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Ruto expressed his frustration over the failure of top agencies to comply with his directive to digitize their core services.
“These entities have ignored my directive to onboard their services onto the digital platform,” Ruto said, emphasizing that such non-compliance hinders efficiency and creates loopholes for revenue mismanagement.
The President gave the agencies a clear deadline, warning that failure to act within a week would have consequences. “They have one week to comply. Otherwise, they can make use of the door,” he added.
He stressed that their inaction perpetuates inefficiencies and fosters financial irregularities.
Among the listed government agencies are:
- The National Cancer Institute of Kenya
- Kenya Hospital Authority Trust Fund
- Kenya Nutritionist and Dieticians Institute
- Health Records and Information Managers Board
- National Syndemic Disease Control Council
- Occupational Therapy Council of Kenya
- Digital Health Authority
- Kenya Biovax Institute Limited
- Kenya National Public Health Institute
- Kenya Health Human Resource Authority
Several agencies in the water sector, including the Kenya Water Institute and Tanafi Water Works Development Agency, were also flagged, alongside regulatory and oversight bodies like the Private Security Regulatory Authority and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Key players in energy sector, such as the Kenya Power Company Limited and Geothermal Development Company were equally implicated. Other entities named include National Defence University and Kenya Space Agency.
By holding these agencies accountable, Ruto said his government is focused on fast-tracking the transition to a digital-first government. This, he argues, will improve service delivery, close financial loopholes, and ensure public resources are managed responsibly.