Explainer: What it entails being a Chief Administrative Secretary
The Public Service Commission (PSC) on February 20, 2023, announced and released a list of 224 candidates shortlisted to be Chief Administrative Secretaries in the Kenya Kwanza government.
Among the shortlisted candidates are Millicent Omanga, blogger Dennis Itumbi, Purity Ngirici, Kimani Ngunjiri, journalist Boniface Musambi, Cleophas Malala, journalist Linda Ogutu as well as former two-term governors Samuel Tunai and James Ongwae.
The position of Chief Administrative Secretary position was established by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The requirements for one to be appointed to the position include a bachelor’s degree from a recognized Kenyan university, ability to manage administration matters in the cabinet docket, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and knowledge of public policies and programmes.
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Additionally, candidates are required to demonstrate that they are capable of handling complex and high pressure tasks while dealing with several institutions and public officers at a go. They should be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of national and principles of public service values; and have a track record of good governance and meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution which requires one to have high levels of integrity and good leadership.
A Chief Administrative Secretary is a government official tasked with helping a Cabinet Secretary in the coordination and running of the affairs of their relevant ministries. Broadly, a CAS is expected to see to the correspondence between the CS’s docket and the National Assembly and Senate, liaise with County Governments on matters relevant to their assigned ministries and at times, represent the CS in meetings when instructed.
The Public Service Commission announced that the CAS job advert attracted 5,183 applicants but only 224 candidates were shortlisted and are set to be interviewed on March 1, 2023, at the PSC offices located in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
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The shortlisting of some of the candidates has sparked a debate among Kenyans over the question of them have served in various capacities for many years. Among them are former governors Tunai (Narok) and Ongwae (Kisii) who served as county heads for eight years each, former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), John Mruttu (Taita Taveta), Hussein Dado (Tana River), Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia).
Kenyans online wondered if it was a promotion or a demotion for former county heads to apply to become assistant secretaries.
Other candidates who have sparked online debate are Mr Itumbi and journalist Lindah Ogutu who trended on Twitter. Mr Itumbi is a controversial blogger who jumped ship to President William Ruto’s camp after being kicked out of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s communication team in State House.
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