President Ruto proposes creation of CAS position - Here is what you require to apply

The position of Chief Administrative Secretary was initially created by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 in a process that the court later declared unconstitutional due to among other things lack of public participation.

“I have decided to establish a new position in government, the position of Chief Administrative Secretary in all our ministries. The Chief Administrative Secretary would broadly be responsible for helping the Cabinet Secretary to better coordinate the running of the affairs of their respective ministries,” said Kenyatta in January 2018.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Public Service Commission disclosed President William Ruto's intention to retain the CAS position but in accordance with the provisions of Article 132(4)(a) of the Constitution.

“The President has proposed to establish the offices of Chief Administrative Secretary which will be offices in the public service and will be under the direction of Cabinet Secretaries,” said Amb Anthony Muchiri, PSC Chairperson, in a press release on Wednesday.

"The Public Service Commission will recommend persons to hold the position of Chief Administrative Secretary for appointment through a competitive recruitment process that shall culminate in a nomination by the President and vetting by the National Assembly."

The commission noted that the functions of Chief Administrative Secretaries will entail responding to issues touching on the portfolio assigned to the office; Providing liaison with the National Assembly and Senate; Providing liaison with County Governments on matters of concurrent mandate and common interest.

The Chief Administrative Secretaries' mandate will also include  Providing inter-ministerial /sectoral co-ordination; Representing the Cabinet Secretary at any meeting as instructed by the Cabinet Secretary; and Executing any other duties and responsibilities specifically assigned to the office by the Cabinet Secretary in furtherance of the interests of the Ministry.

Applicants interested in the CAS position will be required to possess a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

They will also be expected to demonstrate ability to manage the administrative-political interface, articulate public policies and programmes, and undertake complex and high-pressure tasks that require engagements with multi-institutions and other public officers/offices among others.

Members of the public are required to submit their views on the proposal to create the CAS position through writing to the Secretary, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 30095, 00100, Nairobi or hand delivered to the Commission’s offices at Commission House, Harambee Avenue or by email cas@publicservice.go.ke not later than 6th October 2022.