High Court ruling saves taxpayers millions by halting presidential advisers’ offices

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The High Court’s dismissal of the bid to suspend its ruling has effectively stopped 21 presidential advisers from performing their duties, saving taxpayers millions of shillings.

Any salaries or allowances paid to them could now be considered illegal.

The advisers, including economist David Ndii, will have to step aside immediately, affecting projects and advisory work previously handled through their offices.

Government operations relying on their input may face delays as the Executive restructures roles to comply with the Constitution.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye said the stay application lacked merit, emphasizing that constitutional compliance cannot be postponed, signalling a clear warning to the Executive on creating public offices outside the law.

The offices of presidential advisers had cost taxpayers millions annually, covering salaries, allowances, office maintenance, and travel expenses.

With the ruling in effect, these expenditures are set to stop, redirecting funds to lawful government priorities.

The advisers now plan to appeal to the Court of Appeal, but for now, the ruling’s immediate effect is a halt to their work and allowances, reshaping the operations of the Presidential Office.

The case was lodged by civil society groups, including Katiba Institute, arguing that the creation of the offices and appointments violated the Constitution.

The petition claimed that the Executive bypassed the Public Service Commission and ignored the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, making the offices unlawful from the outset.

The High Court agreed, declaring the appointments null and void.