The judiciary has distanced itself from the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) at State House on Friday.
The Judiciary confirmed in a press release issued on Saturday, March 25, that it played no role in the swearing-in ceremony for the 50 newly appointed CASs, as it does not in the swearing-in of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
The statement also revealed that no officer or judge was present to witness the ceremony.
“The Judiciary has no role in the swearing-in of Chief Administrative Secretaries. Similarly, the Judiciary does not play any role in the swearing-in of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries,” the statement read in part.
The Judiciary also took issue with Diana Gichengo, the National Coordinator of the Institute for Social Accountability, who claimed that the function was overseen by the Judiciary.
in the press release, Chief Justice Martha Koome called Gichengo’s statement “grossly misleading and deliberately meant to discredit the judiciary”.
The announcement came after the High Court issued conservatory orders prohibiting the CASs from taking office until the legality of their appointment was determined.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute had filed a petition opposing the appointment of the 27 extra CASs, claiming that the process was illegal.
Justice Hedwig Ong’udi ruled in favour of the petitioners, denying the 50 CASs access to their salaries and other benefits associated with the position.
