Who will be next to quit after Kiyiapi?

By Stephen Makabila

The exodus of public servants hit by the political bug has begun, with the resignation of James ole Kiyiapi, who was until last Tuesday Education Permanent Secretary.

Prof Kiyiapi is not only the first to go, but also the only public servant angling for president. At least 10 PSs, several parastatal chief executives, and Provincial Administration officials have political ambitions. Some are already visible on the ground while others are involved in behind the scene moves.

James Kiyiapi has opted out of his plum job to venture into politics. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Under the new Constitution, a public servant with political ambition and a declared intent, has to vacate office at least seven months to the election, as per Section 43(5) of the Elections Act.

But as they prepare to take their ambitions to the next level, the question is, who will bite the bullet and follow Kiyiapi?

PSs believed to be nursing political ambitions include Ken Lusaka (Livestock), Emmanuel Kisombe (Immigration), John Lonyangapuo (Public Works), Mohamed Wamwachai (Forestry and Wildlife), Thuita Mwangi (Foreign), Alfred Mutua (Government Spokesman), and Joseph Kinyua (Finance).

Outgoing Mumias Sugar CEO Evans Kidero and Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia are among high-ranking officials with political ambitions.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set March 4 as the election date, unless President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga dissolve the Coalition Government and fix an earlier date. In February, Raila had challenged public servants interested in politics to quit to avoid conflict of interest.

"If you want to leave the Civil Service to join politics, my advice to you is to make an early decision to avoid conflict of interest. Walk the talk; don’t remain in the comfort of the Public Service and campaigning at the same time," the PM said during the signing of performance contracts for ministries.

Mars Group Chief Executive Mwalimu Mati and National Council of NGOs chairman Ken Wafula supported Raila’s call. After Kiyiapi’s exit, it is expected others will quit between now and August in line with the law. Analysts, however, say those joining politics should brave themselves to the murky waters.

Turbulent waters

Political analyst Martin Oloo praises Kiyiapi’s conviction and faith in what he believes in, but cautions that Kenyan politics is not for the clean and straight talking like the former PS.

"Kiyiapi means good for this country, but he has thrown himself into deep water. If he doesn’t swim, he will sink because the country is likely to vote along the old patterns," said Oloo, a lecturer at the Kenya School of Law.

Livestock PS Lusaka, who wants to be the Bungoma governor, is among those set to resign by August. However, he faces pressure from his supporters to resign early to consolidate his support. "We want Lusaka to come down early and consolidate support for his bid," says former Bungoma County Council chairman Julius Bakasa.

Lusaka told The Standard On Sunday: "While I appreciate the concerns of my supporters, I feel I should operate within the law. I will leave when my time ends."

Kidero has opted to step down early at Mumias Sugar Company, where Peter Kebati will replace from June 30.

While Kidero’s tenure was to end in September, his early exit gives him time to pursue his interests of becoming the first governor of Nairobi, where he is set to battle Kisia, who is also quitting as Nairobi Town Clerk.

In Central, Thuita has his sight set on becoming the governor of Laikipia, while Kinyua is reported to be interested in becoming Nyeri governor.

Even as pressure mounts on civil servants with political ambitions to resign, history shows some who took the plunge in the past succeded in politics.

Agriculture Minister Sally Kosgei, MPs Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi), Peter Kiilu (Makueni), Simeon Lesirma (Samburu West), and Karachuonyo’s James Rege are examples.

Between 2001 and 2003, Kosgei was the Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.

She became the second former Head of Civil Service to hold a ministerial position, after former Chief Secretary Simeone Nyachae.

From 1997 to 2003, Cheruiyot was Internal Security PS under the Kanu regime. Lesirma was a long serving PS in various ministries.

Ganze MP Francis Baya was also a civil servant. Baya has in the past served as PC in Coast, Western and Rift Valley provinces. He went up the ranks to serve as PS in the Ministry of Lands before joining politics.

Rege served as Information PS. He is the chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy. Mwingi South MP David Musila and his Makueni counterpart Peter Kiilu served as PCs before venturing into politics.