The Public Service Commission (PSC) has been asked to establish the positions of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) under Kenyan law after it was declared unconstitutional by High Court last year.
The request came from President William Ruto who said the positions will be recognised in accordance with provisions of Article 132 (4)(a) of the Constitution.
“The President has proposed to establish the offices of CAS which will be offices in the public service and will be under the direction for the Cabinet Secretary,” said PSC Chairperson Antony Muchiri.
How to Participate In Establishing CAS positions
Kenyans have been asked to give their views for the establishment of the positions before close of business on October 6, 2022 via (cas@publicservice.go.ke).
Should Kenyans give nod, the CAS recruitment will go through a competitive process that shall results into nomination by the President and vetting by the National Assembly members.
This is contrary to the previous admiration under former President Uhuru Kenyatta who appointed the CASs without following right procedures.
This saw High Court in April 2021 declare CAS positions initiated in 2017 unconstitutional, dealing a blow the structure.
Former NA Speaker Justin Muturi said last year in June that CASs are not recognised by the Constitution and therefore cannot present official policy positions before lawmakers.
He said the positions are not recognised by the House standing orders, and any presentations made by a person who holds the title amount to roadside declarations.
“If it is an undertaking, it must be in writing, because our Constitution recognises Cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries. Those others can go elsewhere and do other things,” said Muturi.
CAS Functions and Roles
It will entail responding to issues touching on the portfolio assigned to the office, providing liaison with the National Assembly and the Senate, providing liaison with County Governments on matters of concurrent mandate and common interests.
Other roles shall include providing inter-ministerial-sectoral coordination, representing the CS at any meeting as instructed by the CS and executing any other duties and responsibilities specifically assigned to the office by the CS in furtherance of the interests of the Ministry.
According to PSC, applicants will have a minimum education qualification at a Bachelor’s level who will demonstrate ability to manage the administrative-political interface, articulate public policies and programmes, and undertake complex and high-pressure tasks that require engagement with multi-institutions and other public offices.
