Members of Parliament (MPs) have made a U-turn on capping of the number of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions, granting President William Ruto authority to appoint CASs without limitations.
This decision followed a reevaluation of a proposed Bill that had capped the slots at 22 and specified qualifications for candidates.
Initially, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) had recommended capping CAS positions at 22, similar to Cabinet Secretaries, but subsequently dropped this proposal due to concerns that restricting the number of CASs could hinder the government’s capacity to efficiently recruit and deploy CASs for program implementation.
“In light of the varied roles that may be assigned to a CAS, JLAC noted that capping the number of CASs may affect the ability of the executive to recruit and deploy the number of CASs required to deliver its programmes,”reads the report.
Otiende Amollo voices his opinion
The dissenting voice of Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, articulated through a minority report, emphasized the potential strain additional CAS positions could place on an already financially burdened Kenyan population.
“The proposal to introduce an uncapped number of CASs is indeed an affront to the constitution and would occasion additional expense on public finances and pose an unnecessary burden on Kenyan taxpayers,” said Dr Amollo
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Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo speaking at a past event. PHOTO/The Standard
If the Bill is enacted into law, President Ruto will be empowered to appoint CASs based on PSC recommendations, excluding direct involvement from MPs.
This shift not only redefines the power structure within the government but also introduces a new dimension to the relationship between CASs and Cabinet Secretaries, emphasizing their role as intermediaries with Parliament on behalf of CSs.
Ruto Appoints the CASs
President William Ruto appointed 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) last year on March 22, sparking widespread anger and condemnation.
The Court later declared the positions unconstitutional, dealing a huge blow to President Ruto, who had rewarded loyalists and political rejects.
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The court cited lack of public participation in the appointment process and raised questions about the nature of the CAS positions, which were likened to the role of assistant ministers that had been abolished in Kenya.
Some of the prominent Kenyans who were among the 50 CASs included Millicent Omanga, Wilson Sossion, Cate Waruguru, Benjamin Washiali, Isaac Mwaura, Nicholas Gumbo and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru.
