NAIROBI, Kenya – In a move to streamline the government and reduce operational costs, the Senate has resolved to eliminate the positions of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) and cap the number of Principal Secretaries (PSs).
This move aims to create a more efficient government structure by merging parastatals and state agencies with overlapping functions.
The Senate’s resolution, which mandates the repeal of Section 2 and 12(a) of the National Government Administration Laws (Amendment) Act, will abolish the CAS positions.
This legislation, initially amended to allow the President to appoint CASs, follows a court ruling that nullified the appointments of 50 CASs.
Consequently, President William Ruto has put these appointments on hold amidst ongoing public demonstrations.
Unlike the capped number of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), currently set between 14 and 22, there is no existing limit on PSs, leading to the current count of 51.
The Senate’s decision, spearheaded by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and amended by Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi and Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, responds to widespread calls for a leaner government in the face of economic struggles and dwindling revenue.
The resolution also calls for accountability from the National Police Service concerning recent protests, including an apology and compensation for victims of police brutality.
The senators demand amnesty for detained protesters and urge the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop charges against peaceful demonstrators opposing the Finance Bill, 2024.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority is also tasked with investigating police misconduct during these protests.
Addressing the national debt, the Senate has directed the Budget and Finance Committee to work with the Parliamentary Budget Office to conduct an independent audit and present the findings to Parliament.
The goal is to develop a strategy to reduce the public debt to not more than 55% of the GDP, aligning with legal requirements.
To tackle corruption, the senators advocate strengthening anti-graft laws and enhancing the role of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, particularly at the county level.
Additionally, an audit of employment practices in the public sector, including county governments, has been initiated by the House’s National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration Committee.
This audit aims to promote meritocracy, equality, and fairness in public service employment.
The Senate’s resolutions reflect a broader commitment to national unity and reform.
They also emphasize the need to evaluate the Competency-Based Curriculum, particularly concerning challenges in Junior Secondary School education, and the new university funding model, which has been criticized for placing undue financial burdens on low-income families.
“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,” said Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.
