Azimio Mp Elachi Stands Firm: Backs Ruto’s Revival of Unconstitutional CAS Roles
Beatrice Elachi, the Member of Parliament for Dagoretti North, has supported President William Ruto’s administration in its decision to reinstate the Chief Administrative Secretaries roles, which were previously ruled unconstitutional by the High Court.
During a discussion with a nearby media outlet, the Member of Parliament emphasized the significant role that CAS positions fulfill in acting as deputies to the Cabinet Secretaries.
Elachi also emphasized that the CASs would contribute to the nation’s economy through tax payments and generating employment opportunities for others.
“In fairness of the country and of delivery of service and ensuring ministries can function in the right way. You need a deputy. If you have a good CS, definitely they will need a deputy who will follow through on other issues in the ministry,” she explained.
“In other instances, some ministries have three PSs and you are alone to manage them. If you have a deputy, they can handle those tasks.”
“Then again, if they get salaries they will pay taxes. We’re creating more base of tax to go back to the government because they are also employing other people. So for me, it is a non-issue of whether we have money or not. I am thinking that yes we have a crisis but we cannot keep on lamenting.”
Elachi implored the National Treasury to devise strategies aimed at rescuing the nation from the economic downturn. She emphasized the necessity of seeking religious intervention to address this issue.
Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi (left) and Azimio’s Raila Odinga during the Parliamentary Group meeting held on November 29, 2023.
“To my leaders in Treasury, sometimes wake up in the morning and pray together,” she added.
The Member of Parliament, who previously held the position of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, failed to clarify how the CAS roles impacted the already increasing wage bill.
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Kenyans are expected to spend approximately Ksh460 million each year to maintain the nearly 50 CASs working under Ruto, with each having the potential to earn up to Ksh874,500. Even though these CASs serve as assistants to the Principal Secretaries, both groups receive almost identical gross monthly salaries.
Elachi is a committed member of Azimio in Parliament, having been elected under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) banner. However, her position goes against her coalition’s support for the High Court’s ruling that deemed the positions unconstitutional.
The Azimio coalition expressed their opposition to the appointment of 50 Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs), cautioning that these positions would lead to a rise in the overall salary expenses.
At the same time, Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, suggested changes to the National Government Coordination Act of 2013, aiming to solidify the inclusion of CAS roles within the law via an Act passed by Parliament.
Via the National Government Administrative Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2023, Ichung’wah proposed modifications to the appointment procedure, giving the Public Service Commission (PSC) the authority to ascertain the appropriate number of candidates for a particular position.
Azimio Mp Elachi Stands Firm: Backs Ruto’s Revival of Unconstitutional CAS Roles
