State snubs labour court on CASs hiring

Postmaster CEO Daniel Kagwe and outgoing ICT CAS Nadia Ahmed Abdalla during the unveiling of the Dugong commemorative stamp during the 147th Word Post Day. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has snubbed a court order stopping the recruitment of Chief Administrative Secretaries.

Simon Rotich, PSC chief executive said the advertisement for the positions had not been cancelled and encouraged Kenyans to apply despite a High Court ruling that suspended the establishment of the CAS office in the public service. The commission said it was still receiving applications. "Contrary to public speculation, the commission has not cancelled the advertisement for the recruitment of the Chief Administrative Secretary," Rotich said a press statement on Friday.

The suspension of the recruitment process was as a result of an application by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which argued that there was no clarity on the intended office of the CAS.

LSK said the State had denied the public the opportunity to make comments on the possibility of the duplicity of roles between the Principal Secretary and the CAS.

Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Monica Mbaru directed LSK to serve the commission and the Attorney General before October 14.

She said she will give hearing directions on October 24. "That in the interim, to allow service upon the respondent, an order of stay of implementation of the process of establishment of the Office of Chief Administrative Secretary in the public service is hereby issued," Justice Mbaru said on Wednesday, October 12. But Rotich said that they established the CAS position following successful public participation, which closed on October 6. "The commission established the position in the public service after conducting public participation that closed on October 6, 2022," Rotich said. "The public had been invited through a press advertisement to submit written memoranda to the commission indicating their views regarding the creation of the position."

He said the commission will conduct interviews and shortlist candidates before presenting the names to President William Ruto.

"The commission will shortlist and conduct interviews and thereafter recommend the names of successful candidates for consideration for appointment by the President," Rotich said.

Successful applicants will earn gross monthly salaries of Sh765,188 after PSC upgraded the post to an equivalent to Job Group V.