By MWAKERA MWAJEFA mwajefa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, September 8 2012 at 23:30
Posted Saturday, September 8 2012 at 23:30
IN SUMMARY
- Mvita MP Najib Balala was the first to raise alarm on Saturday when he questioned the motive and competence of former public servants seeking elective posts in the March 2013 elections
- Among the public servants who quit for politics are former permanent secretaries Emmanuel Kisombe and Mohammed wa Mwachai
- Mombasa Polytechnic University College principal Josphat Mwatelah challenged more professionals to seek elective office
Established politicians from Coast Province will have to fight hard to save their careers following the resignation of senior public servants to plunge into politics.
Mvita MP Najib Balala was the first to raise alarm on Saturday when he questioned the motive and competence of former public servants seeking elective posts in the March 2013 elections.
The former Tourism minister claimed the technocrats were only interested in the huge perks enjoyed by Members of Parliament.
“These people have been paper pushers in different ministries but they did nothing to change the lives of Kenyans. What do they think they can do as elected leaders?” he asked. (Read: Top civil servants quit to join politics)
Among the public servants who quit for politics are former permanent secretaries Emmanuel Kisombe and Mohammed wa Mwachai.
In Mombasa, Mr Balala will face Assistant minister Ramadhan Kejembe, former Kenya National Commission on Human Rights vice-chairman Hassan Omar and a senior lecturer at Pwani University College, Dr Hassan Mwakimako, in the race for senate.
Launching his bid yesterday, Dr Mwakimako said he would vie on a Shirikisho party of Kenya ticket.
“Politics of name calling will be replaced with politics of development and advancement for the people of Mombasa who have endured poor leadership for a long time,” he said.
Transport Assistant minister Ali Hassan Joho will contest against veteran politician Chibule wa Tsuma, businessmen Suleiman Shahbal and Ibrahim Khamis ‘Babaginda’ and Tononoka ward councillor Gharib Suleiman for governor.
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In Taita Taveta, Mr Kisombe and former Kakamega East District Commissioner Wisdom Mwamburi are contesting for the governorship.
But they will have to battle it out with former Energy permanent secretary Mwanyengela Ngali, former Central Bank of Kenya deputy governor Jacinta Mwatela and Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology and Agriculture lecturer Elijah Mwandoe.
On Thursday, deputy principal of Pwani University College Gabriel Katana said he will seek the Kilifi governorship on a Kadu Asili ticket.
“I am vying for governorship to restore hope to Kilifi people who have suffered due to poor leadership,” he said at the launch of his camapign.
The seat has also attracted Fisheries minister Amason Kingi, Immigration Assistant minister Francis Baya, former Bahari MP John Safari Mumba, Kilifi County Council chairman Anthony Kingi and Mr John Lenga, an engineer.
Lawyer Issa Timamy last week resigned as National Museum of Kenya chairman to contest for the Lamu governorship on a United Democracy Forum (UDF) ticket. He will face off with Lamu West MP Fahim Twaha. Assistant minister Abu Chiaba is the only senate aspirant.
In Kwale, Mr Mwachai will contest against another newcomer, Mr Salim Mvuria from Plan International, for the governor’s post.
Former heritage minister Suleiman Shakombo said welcomed professionals joining politics.
“We have allowed mediocre leadership for far too long. That is why we are supporting likeminded leaders to ascend to power irrespective of their party affiliations,” he said.
Prof Rocha Chimera from Pwani University College said most of the sitting MPs from Coast Province cannot pass the integrity test.
Mombasa Polytechnic University College principal Josphat Mwatelah challenged more professionals to seek elective office, saying this was the only way to set the national agenda.
“What we have been treated to by the previous leadership will have to change with the advent of professionalism politics that will be based on policies, ideologies and developmental agendas,” he said in a telephone interview.
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