Ministry officials quit to embark on campaigns

By Felix Olick and Peter Opiyo

Two senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have resigned to run for elective positions.

Foreign Service Secretary Joseph Ndathi and Deputy Director of Supply Joseph Mathuki tendered their resignation letters to Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi.

Ndathi, who joined the Civil Service in 1982, would be running for Kirinyaga County gubernatorial seat, while Mathuki is running for the Masinga parliamentary seat.

Speaking at a farewell party organised for them by the ministry in Nairobi on Friday, Ndathi announced he would be running on The National Alliance ticket.

Mathuki on the other hand remained non-committal on his party of choice, saying he was still weighing options.

Ndathi, who initially worked as Director in the Ministry of Immigration, said his track record as a reformer speaks for itself.

Mathuki said he is banking on his vast international connection to assist Masinga residents.

Speaking at the event, Thuita termed the law compelling civil servants seeking elective positions to exit seven months before elections as discriminatory and punitive.

“Seven months means that you are deprived of a source of living. Civil servants should be allowed to run for public office and resume their jobs if they don’t succeed,” he noted. At the same time, Senior Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Peter Omolo has left public service for politics.

Mr Omolo, who has served the public for 35 years, was the second senior most staff in Parliament after Clerk Patrick Gichohi. He had served as a District Officer and a District Environmental Officer before joining Parliament in 1991.

He officially leaves on September 4 to contest the gubernatorial post in Kisumu County. He was set to retire at the end of the year together with Mr Gichohi.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende described Mr Omolo as a dedicated servant who had received a presidential commendation for his work.

Mr Omolo said he would soon officially launch his bid based on visionary leadership devoid of violence.