The 2010 Constitution of Kenya allows a maximum of 22 ministries. After an election, the president is tasked with appointing members of the cabinet (cabinet secretaries) after they have been vetted by a parliamentary committee. This is contrary to the previous constitution where ministers could be appointed by the president without vetting. Ministers also used to be elected Members of Parliament in the preceding constitution.
Who is a Cabinet Secretary (CS) in Kenya?
What is the difference between the Cabinet Secretary(CS) and the Principal Secretary(PS) in Kenya?
In the past, Cabinet secretaries (CS) were referred to as ministers and it is not uncommon to hear most people still calling them Kenya ministers.
A CS is usually a member of the Kenyan Cabinet, which comprises the President, Deputy President, Attorney General and Cabinet Secretaries. The CS is in charge of a Kenyan Ministry.
Who is a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in Kenya?
This title was not recognized by the 2010 Constitution. Their role is to help CSs coordinate the affairs of the ministry. They are not assistance cabinet secretaries but they are more of it.
Who is a Principal Secretary (PS) in Kenya?
In Kenya, the principal secretary will be in charge of a state department, which is a position in a given ministry. The number of principal secretaries in Kenya will depend on the number of state departments. Currently, there are 44 PS positions in Kenya.
A principal secretary is tasked with the administration of a state department. Below are the functions and responsibilities of a principal secretary. There are 44 principal secretaries in Kenya.
Duties and responsibilities of principal secretaries in Kenya
- Implementing government policies and the Strategic Plan for the State Department.
- Facilitating the achievement of the goals and objectives of Government and Inter-Governmental programs and projects.
- Developing and implementing an effective performance management system.
- Ensuring efficient and effective utilization of Financial, Human and other Resources in the State Department. This includes submitting regular statutory reports.
- Promoting high standards of professional ethics in the operations of their respective departments.