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{
    "id": 1417474,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1417474/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 644,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Narok West, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Muthaura, among others despite the fact that this office has never been entrenched into the law. There was a case in the Court of Appeal, and maybe my learned friend can remind me the case number by Omtatah. He was trying to challenge the legality of that office, and the court ruling was very clear that the President, as the Head of Government, cannot run it single handed. So, the Chief of Staff, who is the Head of Public Service, is part of the Executive Arm of the Presidency. We thought it is critically important to have this office recognised in law, so that it can help the President in the day-to-day running of the Government. It was the honest opinion of Members of both Committees that this office should be established. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the National Government Administration Laws (Amendment) Bill introduced CASs. This has been well articulated by Hon. Murugara. This has been a contested issue. It has been back and forth in court. It was the Committee’s opinion that this office be established within the Public Service, as clearly stated in the Bill. We removed the requirement for them to be vetted by Parliament, or to even come to Parliament to represent cabinet secretaries. That is very clear and should go on record. I read reports in the newspapers yesterday that the number of CASs has been capped at 22. That is not the case. That was the case in the initial draft but there was a re-submittal. We opened it up to give the President power and leeway to appoint as many as he thinks may be necessary at any given time, with the advice and consultation of the PSC. The PSC is mandated by the Constitution, in Article 234, to abolish and create offices. We call upon the Members of this House to support the issue of CASs. There has been a lot of clamour and noise in this House about the unavailability of cabinet secretaries. However, we should accept that they at times get overwhelmed and overstretched. The Chief Administrative Secretaries will go a long way in helping them run some activities within the State Departments. Lastly, the issue of the Public Seal has been discussed. I call upon this House to rise to the occasion and support this Bill so that we can move this country forward. I support the Bill."
}