Editor's Review

National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula Speaker on Wednesday said they cannot vet the CASs

President William Ruto has presided over the swearing-in of 50 CASs at State House Nairobi following their appointment on Wednesday. 

Head of Public Service Felix Kosgei gazetted their appointment after the National Assembly declined to vet them citing lack of the constitutional guideline requiring them to do so. 

"It is notified for the general public that His Excellency, President William Ruto has on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission appointed the following to serve as Chief Administrative Secretaries of the Government of Kenya," reads the gazette notice.

Dennis Itumbi takes the oath of office. IMAGE: SCREENGRAB

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The swearing ceremony began around 7 am at State House and was still ongoing by the time of going to the press.

Some of those sworn in include Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi, Former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, Former Starehe MP Charles Njagua, Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Catherine Waruguru (Laikipia East), Onesmus Ngunjiri (Bahati MP), Bishop Margaret Wanjiru ( Nairobi Senator), Isaac Mwaura ( Ruiru MP) and Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo Woman Rep) among others. 

National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula Speaker on Wednesday said they cannot vet the CASs because there is no legal provision requiring them to do so. 

“The obligation to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution enjoins the House to refrain from assuming and discharging a role that it has not been expressly assigned by the Constitution or written law. In that regard, the National Assembly is unable to vet the nominees in the absence of an express constitutional or statutory requirement to do so," the Speaker's memorandum noted.

As a result, State House Spokesperson Mohamed Hussein said the development paved the way for the swearing-in of the CASs.

"It is notified that the Speaker of the National Assembly has referred back to the Appointing Authority the Transmittal of the Nominees for Appointment to the rank of Chief Administrative Secretaries," Mohamed said.

“To facilitate the ascension of the Chief Administrative Secretaries to office, the State appointees are now scheduled to subscribe to their solemn oath of office.”