Petition Seeks Felix Koskei's Removal

Three petitioners have moved to court, seeking to have head of public service Felix Koskei declared unfit to hold public office.

Shadrack Kimeli, Elisha Kiprop and Stephen Sirngewo, in a case filed at the High Court in Kapsabet on Monday, accuse the Chief of Staff of abusing his powers and office by engaging in 2027 political campaigns.

While arguing that Koskei has violated the principles of governance through his political utterances, the petitioners are seeking orders to relieve Koskei of his duties as the Head of Public Service.

The trio that is listed as voters representing Aldai, Tindiret, Nandi hills, Emgwen, Chesumei and Mosop constituencies told the high court that Koskei was attempting to impose leaders of his choice in Nandi County against the public service code of conduct.

In their sworn affidavits, the petitioners allege that Mr Koskei has breached public trust by campaigning for some candidates to contest for certain elective positions which will render election process for the 2027 General elections to lack transparency and integrity.

“The petitioners for a declaration declaring that the first respondent (Koskei) through his utterances violated the principles of governance under article 10 of the constitution of Kenya to the extent that the utterances of the first respondent meant that they shall not put into consideration the democracy and participation of the people of Nandi County in choosing their elected leaders,” the petitions told the court.

According to the petitioners, Koskei has been uttering political statements in rallies, using his native language.

They provided several quotes and their translations including one that the head of public service said he and others have the responsibility of ensuring that Nandi County had better leadership.

In the translated quotes, the petitioners told the court that Koskei openly supported Tindiret MP Julius Melly.

“We have the responsibility of taking care of Nandi. We need leadership that is aware that Nandi County is still lagging behind in terms of development. Even Melly has shown interest in the Nandi gubernatorial seat. I am also there; even the war waged against me is because I’m right behind you (Melly). They know that I’m right behind fellow constituent,” they told the court.

In the suit, the petitioners through their lawyer Sammy Mathai Maina argue that Koskei was unfit to hold office as the head of public service over questionable integrity queries stemming from his participation in political campaigns, which they claim are denying voters their constitutional right of choosing leaders of their choice.

They are seeking orders barring Koskei from engaging in political activities while holding office as the Head of public Service and the Chief of Staff.

Kimeli, Kiprop and Sirngewo aver that Koskei has in different public rallies said he will ensure that the electorate vote for good leadership in the county’ or they will intervene and fix it which will render the voting process undemocratic.

The petitioners also told the court that Koskei described an unnamed political leader as demagogues during one of his speeches in Chepkunyuk Ward, Nandi Hills constituency.

“We will not allow to be led by a demagogue (Soriin in the Nandi dialect) and anyone who wants to destroy this land. If you fail to choose wisely, we shall come and interfere in the future. We won’t allow, we will fix it,” the petitioners quoted the head of public service in their application.

“The utterance by the Head of Public Service violated the rights of the people of Nandi County in making free political choices by participating in campaigns for a political party and choosing a leader of their choice,” said the petitioners.