The High Court in Nairobi has stopped the 50 newly appointed Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) from assuming office or receiving any salary.

Justice Hedwig Ongudi stated on Friday, March 24 that the new appointees will only assume office after a petition by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) challenging their legality is heard and determined.

This comes one day after the CASs were sworn in at State House, Nairobi in an event presided over by President William Ruto.

The LSK, through its president Eric Theuri, argue that President Ruto acted against the law by increasing the number of CAS slots from the originally recommended 23 to 50.

In a late 2022 letter by former Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, the Public Service Commission (PSC) was asked to only allow a maximum of 23 CAS positions.

On March 16, President Ruto, however, unveiled 50 CAS nominees to the shock of many Kenyans.