MPs U-Turn on Capping Chief Administrative Secretaries After Constitutional Body Backs Posts
• MPs backtracked on capping the number of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) after initially recommending capping them at 22, giving the president flexibility to appoint more.
• The Public Service Commission supported entrenching the CAS positions into law, saying they fulfill a needed role.
• MP Otiende Amollo opposed the creation of the positions in a dissenting opinion, saying they duplicate roles of Cabinet Secretaries and add expenses.
• If passed into law, CASs would rank above MPs, be appointed by the president without MP vetting, and liaise with parliament on behalf of Cabinet Secretaries.
• Amollo said the CAS position is akin to Assistant Minister, which Kenyans voted to eliminate in the 2010 constitution.