President William Ruto, on Thursday, March 16, nominated Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) to act as links between ministries and Parliament.
The mandate of the CAS was clearly spelt out in a proposal made by Ruto on the official creation of the positions on September 21, 2022.
Under former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime, the roles were unclear, and the appointees were seen as assistant ministers.
According to an advertisement for the position by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in October 2022, officials were mandated to provide liaison between the ministries and Parliament.
The nominated CASs - upon approval by Parliament, will also liaise with county governments on matters of concurrent mandate, and coordinate interministerial roles.
"A Chief Administrative Secretary will be responsible to the Cabinet Secretary in performing his/her duties.
"Specific duties and responsibilities shall include representing the Cabinet Secretary at any meeting as instructed by the Cabinet Secretary," read the statement in part.
On the other hand, the CAS will be answerable for duties assigned to the portfolio by the President and Cabinet Secretaries.
"Their responsibilities also include executing any other duties and responsibilities specifically assigned to the office by the Cabinet Secretary in furtherance of the interest of the Ministry," read the advert in part.
Ruto nominated a number of his allies to the position, including Millicent Omanga (Interior), Dennis Itumbi (ICT), Isaac Mwaura (Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary), and Evans Odhiambo Kidero (Investment and Trade), among others.
Other notable nominees were Wilson Sossion (Tourism), Bishop Margaret Wanjiru (Cooperatives), Charles Njagua alias Jaguar (Sports) and Nicholas Gumbo (Transport).
"By dint of the executive action, the nominations have been transmitted to the national assembly for consideration and approval by parliament in accordance with the public appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (No. 33 of 2011)," read the appointment notice in part.
