Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has made headlines after boldly stating, “I was appointed politically, I will leave the office politically, and therefore I must act political.” His remarks have sparked a fresh national debate about the role of Cabinet Secretaries in Kenya’s government.
Speaking openly, CS Mbadi made it clear that he does not consider himself a civil servant. He explained that civil servants are recruited through public service systems and are expected to remain neutral regardless of which political party is in power.
However, Cabinet Secretaries are different. They are appointed by the President and approved by Parliament, with the responsibility of helping the elected government implement its policies and agenda.
According to Mbadi, his appointment gives him the right to support the political direction of the government that selected him. He argues that because he did not come through the normal civil service recruitment process, he should not be expected to act like a politically neutral officer.
His statement has divided public opinion. Some Kenyans agree with him, saying it is better for Cabinet Secretaries to be honest about their political alignment and openly support government policies.
Others, however, fear that such thinking could lead to abuse of power or discrimination against citizens who do not support the ruling administration.
Mbadi’s comments have now triggered a bigger national conversation: Should Cabinet Secretaries be political actors, or should they remain neutral like other public servants?
As the debate continues, many Kenyans are closely watching how this perspective may influence leadership, governance, and accountability in the country.
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Politics