Jubilee accused of using civil servants in by-election race

From left: Former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, Kanu Kericho senatorial aspirant Paul Sang and Emurua Dikirr’s Johanna Ngeno during a campaign rally at Sossiot in Belgut, Kericho County, yesterday. They accused Jubilee of using civil servants in its campaigns. [PHOTO: Joseph KIPSANG/standard

Kanu has accused the Jubilee coalition of violating electoral laws by engaging civil servants in the Kericho senatorial by-election campaigns.

The party’s candidate Paul Sang and his campaign team have questioned the involvement of Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter in the campaigns for Jubilee candidate Aaron Cheruiyot, terming this a violation of the Constitution. The Constitution bars public servants from taking an active role in politics.

“Keter has even gone ahead to threaten top civil servants, chiefs and their assistants that their jobs are at risk if Jubilee loses the seat to Kanu,” said Sang at a rally in Sosiot, Belgut Constituency, hours after Deputy President William Ruto addressed several meetings in the county.

But in a quick rejoinder, Keter dismissed the claims, saying he attended the Jubilee rallies as a member of the party and not as a Cabinet Secretary and that the seat belonged to him before he was appointed in Government.

“It is my constitutional right to belong to a political party and there is nothing wrong with me attending a rally organised by my party. I am a resident of Kericho, this is my home and I have to give the people political direction,” he said.

Keter, whose nomination to the Government occasioned the by-election, denied claims he held a meeting with 20 senior civil servants including chief executive officers of various state corporations and managing directors at his rural home to strategise Jubilee campaigns in the region.

Sang, who was accompanied by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi) and Emurua Dikirr’s Johanna Ngeno claimed the Deputy President has employed State machinery to ensure that Jubilee retains the seat.

“Jubilee should give the people of Kericho a chance to elect a senator of their own and stop interfering with the electoral process by violating the law,” he said.

The Nandi MP dismissed claims by Jubilee that the rebel URP leaders were planning to take Rift Valley voters to the Opposition.

Governor Ruto, whose Mashinani Development Party of Kenya is backing Sang, claimed civil servants from the region were being intimidated into campaigning for the Jubilee candidate.

“We hear senior civil servants from the South Rift region are being told that if Cheruiyot (Jubilee candidate) loses the seat, they will also lose their jobs. What nonsense is that?” he posed.

The governor claimed Jubilee had failed in its development programme.

“I have no problem with individuals in Government. I have a problem with their failed promises to the people of the Rift Valley. If they work for the people, respect elected leaders and implement devolution then we will be friends,” Ruto said.