High Court Deals Ruto A Blow As It Quashes The 50 Appointed CASs

The High Court of Kenya rules the current office of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) appointed by President William Ruto unconstitutional.

The judgment made by the High Court is in response to the petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute against the CASs position.

The three-judge panel, led by Hon Justice Kanyi Kimondo, concluded that public involvement was limited to only 23 CASs and that the extra 27 appointees were unjustified.

“There was no public participation in the appointment of the extra 27 CASs. The establishment of the extra 27 CAS positions is unconstitutional,” Lady Justice Hedwig Ong'udi stated.

The court further ruled that the creation of these offices did not comply with the Constitution, resulting in it being unlawfully established.

“The newly-created office and fresh complement of 50 had to comply with the constitution and the criteria set out earlier in Okiyah’s case in order to be lawfully established. They did not comply. The entire complement of 50 CASs is therefore unconstitutional,” the court ruled.

The appointment of all Deputy Secretaries in various ministries has now been revoked.

A number of CASs who attended the verdict disagreed with the court's decision and threatened to petition the ruling at the court of appeal.

“We are also Kenyans and we have a right to participate in national duties. We are going to petition the CAS ruling at the Court of Appeal and we are very convinced that we will be successful,” Isaac Mwaura said.

President William Ruto swore in the 50 CAS on March 23 after the National Assembly refused to vet them.