Judiciary denies playing any role in swearing-in of CASs
The Judiciary has distanced itself from the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) at State House on Friday.
In a press release issued on Saturday, March 25, the Judiciary confirmed that it did not play any role in the swearing-in ceremony for the 50 newly-appointed CASs, just as it does not in the swearing-in of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
The statement further revealed that no officer or judge was deployed to witness the ceremony.
“The Judiciary has no role in the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries. Similarly, the Judiciary does not play any role in the swearing-in of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries,” the statement read in part.
The Judiciary also took issue with National Coordinator of the Institute for Social Accountability Diana Gichengo, who had claimed that the Judiciary oversaw the function.
In her press release, Chief Justice Martha Koome called Gichengo’s statement “grossly misleading and deliberately meant to discredit the Judiciary.”
The statement came after the High Court issued conservatory orders barring the CASs from assuming office until the legality of their appointment was determined.
The Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute had filed a petition challenging the appointment of the 27 extra CASs, arguing that the process was unprocedural.
Justice Hedwig Ong’udi ruled in favour of the petitioners and barred the 50 CASs from accessing their salaries and other privileges associated with the position.
Meanwhile, the CASs, including Millicent Omanga, appointed in the Interior docket, Dennis Itumbi in ICT, Catherine Waruguru in Foreign Affairs, and Evans Kidero, were sworn in at State House in a ceremony presided over by Head of Public Service Felis Koskei.
President William Ruto received approval to swear in the CASs after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula argued that the House had no mandate to vet them.
The law under Article 132 (4) of the Constitution provides that the President shall nominate and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appoint Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and the Attorney-General.