The Judiciary has distanced itself from claims that it was involved in the swearing-in of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) at the State House.
In a statement on Saturday, March 25, 2023, the Judiciary said its attention had been drawn to remarks by the National Coordinator of the Institute for Social Accountability Diana Gichengo who claimed that the Judiciary presided over the swearing-in of CASs while the matter was pending in court.
The Judiciary clarified that it had no role in the swearing-in of the CASs.
“The Judiciary’s attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the National Coordinator of the Institute for Social Accountability Diana Gichengo, claiming that the Judiciary presided over the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries while the matter was pending in court.
“The statement is grossly misleading and deliberately meant to discredit the Judiciary. The Judiciary has no role in the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries,” the statement reads in part.
The Judiciary further reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution, adding that no official of the Judiciary was sent to the State House to swear in the 50 CASs.
“Similarly, the Judiciary does not play any role in the swearing-in of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries. As such, no official of the Judiciary was sent to State House to swear-in the 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries. The Judiciary reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution,” the statement added.
The 50 CASs were sworn into office by President William Ruto.
The ceremony took place on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the State House following the official appointment of the 50 nominees on Wednesday.
While the 50 CASs nominees were expected to undergo vetting, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement said the Speaker of the National Assembly referred back to the president, noting that the August House had no constitutional authority to vet the CAS nominees.
Ruto had nominated the CASs from a list shortlisted by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Among the 50 CASs who took the oath of office were Millicent Omanga, Isaac Mwaura, Dennis Itumbi among others.
