Gachagua defends Ruto’s long list of CASs
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended President William Ruto’s decision to nominate 50 individuals to the positions of Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS).
Speaking during a joint media interview with Gikuyu stations, the DP said the CAS positions were necessary to bring in new energy to revitalize existing capacity and strength.
"On CAS appointments, Ministries have cross cutting issues that need to be addressed. We bring in new energy to revitalize existing capacity and strength," he said.
Gachagua further said the new CASs, if approved by Parliament, will help revive the economy which he said was ruined by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
“This country has a lot of work of reviving the economy and that is why the government needs a big team that will be dispersed across the world to look for the markets of our products,” he stated.
Ruto increased CAS positions from 29 during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime to 50.
The list has generated mixed reactions from Kenyans with some questioning the large number of niminees as Kenya struggles economically.
CAS nominees
The nominees' names have since been forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament in accordance with the Public Appointment (Parliamentary Approval) Act (No. 33 of 2011).
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, former nominated senator Millicent Omanga and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi are among the 50 CAS nominees who were picked by Ruto.
Kidero has been nominated to serve as CAS in the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry which is headed by Moses Kuria.
Itumbi has been placed in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy while Omanga is to serve as CAS in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Other prominent politicians nominated for CAS positions include;
Former Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru (Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs), former Tana River governor Hussein Tuneyo Dado (Ministry of Public SDervixe, Gender and Affirmative Action), former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo (Ministry f Roads and Transport).
Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri (Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development), former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru (Ministry of Co-Operative and Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development), former Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi alias Jaguar (Ministry of Youth Affairs, Arts and Sports),.
Former nominated MP and Knut chairman Wilson Sossion (Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage), former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa (Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation), and former Kisumu senator Fred Outa (Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs).
