Senators move to scrap CAS positions, cap number of PSs

The Chief Administrative Secretary positions are set to be scrapped and the number of principal secretaries capped in a radical move to cut down the cost of running the government.

In the resolution by the Senate, lawmakers have decided to introduce legislation to merge parastatals and state agencies that perform duplicate functions to achieve a lean government

“The Senate resolves that the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to repeal Section 2 and 12(a) of the National Government Administration Laws (Amendment) Act that establishes CAS,” the motion states.

Recently, Parliament approved an amendment to the Act, effectively allowing the President to pick CASs.

The amendment followed a court ruling that nullified the appointments of 50 CASs.

President William Ruto has also put on hold the appointment of the CASs following the demos.

Unlike the CS positions, which the law caps at between 14 and 22, there is no limit on the number of PSs. Currently, there are 51 PSs.

The senators unanimously approved the motion in response to the calls by Kenyans following the Gen Z protests.

The motion was moved by Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot and amended by Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi and Laikipia Senator John Kinyua.

Kenyans have called for a lean government in the wake of the struggling economy and the dwindling revenue collection.

In the resolution, the lawmakers want the National Police Service to acknowledge and apologise for all the deaths resulting from protests, now in their fifth week.

“All victims of police brutality related to peaceful protests, between 2023 and 2024, be compensated by the government,” Kinyua said in the motion.

They also want the police to extend amnesty to all the protesters who are unlawfully detained.

Further, they have urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw all the cases in court involving peaceful protesters against the rejected Finance Bill, 2024.

“That the Independent Police Oversight Authority moves with speed to investigate and recommend appropriate action against police officers found culpable of using brutality against peaceful protesters,” he said.

Additionally, the House resolved that Parliament should implement guidelines to actualise Article 37 of the Constitution, ensuring citizens enjoy the right to picket without resulting in loss of life or property.

Concerning the ballooning debt, the House directed the Budget and Finance Committee to consult with the Parliamentary Budget Office to independently audit the national debt and present the actual status to Parliament.

“The committee engages the National Treasury to submit a roadmap on its strategy to reduce the public debt to not more than 55 per cent of the GDP in present value terms in compliance with Section 50(2C) of the PFM Act,” the motion states.

To combat corruption, the senators resolved to strengthen anti-graft laws and engage the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to scale up efforts to address corruption, especially in county governments.

The senators have also moved to instigate an audit on employment in public service, including county governments.

The audit will be conducted by the House’s National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration.

“The resolutions mark the Senate’s commitment to healing a fractured nation, fostering dialogue and implementing reforms to ensure justice, equity and prosperity for all Kenyans,” Cheruiyot said.

The committee has been tasked with proposing strategies to ensure meritocracy, equality and equity of opportunities in public service.

The senators will also assess the effectiveness of the Competency Based Curriculum, especially the challenges associated with the Junior Secondary School education.

They are inquiring about the new funding model for university education following complaints from Kenyans that it was burdening poor parents.