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No, this is not a genuine list of Kenya’s new chief administrative secretaries

IN SHORT: An image circulating on social media purports to show 21 new appointees to Kenya’s civil service. The list is fake.

An image circulating on Facebook in Kenya appears to be an official list of newly appointed chief administrative secretaries. It lists 21 names.

The position of chief administrative secretary (CAS) was created by former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018. A holder of the office helps cabinet secretaries coordinate their ministry.

These are controversial positions. In April 2021 the high court ruled that they were unconstitutional. However, an appeals court suspended the ruling.

In September 2022 the Public Service Commission (PSC), which recruits for government jobs, invited the public to comment on the positions.

The Law Society of Kenya challenged the creation of the position in the courts. Lawyers argued that it was expensive, unconstitutional and lacked public participation.

The bar association lost its case in February 2023, paving the way for appointment of the secretaries.    

It is against this background that the list is circulating, with many of the names being allies of president William Ruto.

The list has been shared here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

But is it legitimate?

KenyaLetter_False

‘We are still finalising the recruitment process’

Africa Check contacted the PSC by phone. The agency said the list was fake and it was finalising recruitment.

“The list circulating on social media is not from us,” a spokesperson said.

On 21 February the PSC published a list of 224 shortlisted candidates.

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