Political quagmire rocks legality of Mudavadi’s Prime CS job

A political storm has rocked the National Assembly over the nomination of Musalia Mudavadi as Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS).

This after the opposition Azimio One Kenya Coalition members argued that it was unconstitutional because it is not found in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

House Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi argued that the Constitution only provides for the President, Deputy President, Cabinet Secretary and Attorney General positions and that there is no provision for Prime Cabinet Secretary.

“I am the one who brought to the attention of the Speaker that this position of Prime CS is not provided for in the Constitution. It is either they rename that position and give it another title because this one is not right because it is like creating another office,” he said.

“The President can appoint him as CS without portfolio to make it legal, otherwise we are not going to allow our Constitution to be mutilated,” he added.

He challenged National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula to provide directions on whether the team should vet Mudavadi on Monday despite his position not being provided for in the supreme law.

Wetang’ula has promised to issue a communication on the way forward on Monday before the vetting process begins.

Mudavadi is scheduled to be the first to appear before the committee on the same day at about 9 am.

Mudavadi was named as the third most powerful government official in President William Ruto’s administration.

He is to assist the President and Deputy President in coordinating and supervising Government Ministries and State Departments, in liaison with the Ministry responsible for Interior and National Administration, oversee the implementation of National Government policies, programmes, and projects.

Additionally, he will chair and coordinate National Government legislative agenda across all ministries and state departments in consultation with and for transmission to the Party/Coalition leaders in Parliament and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination of cross-functional initiatives and programs.

He will also coordinate and supervise the technical monitoring and evaluation of government policies, programs, and projects across Ministries.

Further, he will perform any other function as may be assigned by the President.