On March 27, 2023, the government gave the impression that it disregarded a court order by allowing Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) to take over.

Days ago, the High Court in Nairobi halted hiring 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) and withheld their salaries pending the outcome of a challenge brought by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

It was after the CASs took the oath of office at State House in a ceremony presided over by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and witnessed by President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Chief Prime Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the court issued its order shortly after.


The new appointees won't start working until a petition by LSK challenging their validity is resolved, according to Judge Hedwig Ongudi.

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However, the administration appeared to disregard the decision and carried on by giving CASs tasks in several departments.

Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy president, met with the three new CASs assigned to his office on Monday.

"This morning, I met with the new Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) assigned to my office. After being sworn in at State House in Nairobi on Thursday, Ms Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Mr Edwin Sudi Wandabusi, and Mr Nicholas Ngabiya Rioba reported to work, according to DP Gachagua.

The DP claimed that the CASs would provide his office with the vital variety of experience, professional expertise, energy, and focus necessary for the effective and efficient discharge of their duty.

The three CASs assigned to his ministry were also distributed among various departments by Professor Kithure Kindiki, the Interior Cabinet Secretary.


Samuel Tunai, a former governor of Narok, was given the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration by Prof. Kindiki.

Former Nominated MP Millicent Omanga has been given the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and Amb. Mohamud Saleh has been given the State Department for Correctional Services.

According to the CS, the adequate provision of services and the division of duties depend on how the ongoing legal proceedings turn out.

In the middle of an ongoing lawsuit, the Judiciary did not preside at the CASs' swearing-in.

The statement added, "The Judiciary has no participation in the swearing-in of chief administrative secretaries."