CS Kindiki Gives CAS Millicent Omanga New Roles Despite Court Order

Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, March 27 announced that his Ministry had assigned Interior Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Millicent Omanga new roles.

In a statement, CS Kindiki revealed that Omanga was assigned duties in the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and will be in charge of the Civil Registration Services (CRS) reforms.

The former nominated Senator will also serve in the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the Department of Refugee Affairs (DRA).

Also assigned new roles in the Interior Ministry include Samuel Ole Tunai and Mohamud Saleh.

Ole Tunai was assigned responsibilities under the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration.

Mohamud Saleh was allocated the State Department for Correctional Services segment where he will be in charge of reforms in the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and will also serve under the Borstal Institutions and the Probation Department.

"Congratulations to the newly appointed Cabinet Administrative Secretaries (CASs) Hon. Samuel Ole Tunai, Hon. Millicent Omanga and Amb. Mohamud Saleh on appointment in the Ministry of Interior & National Administration. Welcome to the Ministry," wrote Kindiki in part.

The CASs were among 50 others appointed by President William Ruto on Wednesday, March 22 following communication from the Speaker that the National Assembly cannot vet them since there is no legal provision requiring the vetting.

However, a day after they were sworn in, the High Court temporarily stopped the 50 CASs from assuming office pending the determination of a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute. 

According to the interim order given by Justice Hedwig Ongu’ndi, the CASs were also barred from earning any salary, remuneration or any benefit.

"Having read through the annexures, I am satisfied that interim conservatory orders are necessary. I, therefore, grant Prayer No 2 of the Notice of Motion in the interim," the Judge ruled.

The judge further ordered LSK to serve interested parties, including the Attorney General, with the petition for their replies. The case was certified to be urgent with its hearing date set for Tuesday, March 28 at 12 noon.