It’s deadline day for civil servants joining politics

By Kenan Miruka

Monday is the deadline for civil servants intending to vie for elective positions in the General Election.

The Government had directed all public servants planning to join politics to resign by September 3.

On Sunday, Joash Nyamoko, a manager at Athi River-based Technology Development Centre, said he had resigned.

Mr Nyamoko, who intends to vie for the newly created North Mugirango parliamentary seat, submitted his letter to Labour PS Beatrice Kituyi on Friday.

Nyamoko said he would name his party after consulting constituents. “With my expertise and experience in Government, I believe I can help meet the development aspirations of North Mugirango,” he said.

Among civil servants who have expressed interest in elective positions are PSs Kenneth Lusaka (Livestock), Mohamed Wamwachai (Forestry and Wildlife), and John Lonyangapuo (Public Works). 

Administration Police Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua also left the force to contest in Nakuru County.

Mr  Wamwachai has been touted as possible candidate for the Kwale County Governor’s seat.

Mr Lusaka wants to vie for gubernatorial in Bungoma County while Lonyangapuo is eyeing the West Pokot Senate post.

 Other top officials include former Cabinet minister Julius Sunkuli, who is currently Kenya’s Ambassador to China.

Court order

Mr Sunkuli has declared his interest in the Narok County, while his counterpart in Australia, former Assistant minister Stephen Tarus wants to become the governor in Nandi County.

Also planning to quit is the Chief Executive of the Higher Education Loans Board Benjamin Cheboi, who is said to be eyeing Baringo County.

In a circular, Acting Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia noted that section 43(5) of the election Act 2011 was amended to reduce the period a public officer should resign from office from seven to six months.

The High Court upheld civil servants must vacate office by September 4, dismissing an application seeking to have them stay in office three months longer.

Justice Isaac Lenaola upheld a directive issued by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission that the public officers must resign six months before the General Election, dismissing a case lodged to challenge the rule by two civil society activists.