Civil servants eyeing elective posts to resign in September
Civil servant Daniel Maanzo (second left) and his lawyer in court August 2, 2012. The court ruled that civil servants eyeing elective posts should resign by September. PAUL WAWERU
Civil servants eyeing elective positions will have to resign by September.
The High Court dismissed an application Thursday that had sought to extend their tenure until three months to the next General Election slated for March 4, 2013.
According to the Elections Act, any public officer seeking to contest the next polls should leave his position six months before such an election.
With the court ruling, this means that civil servants must vacate office by September 4.
Presidential aspirant James Ole Kiyiapi resigned from his post as Education Permanent Secretary to concentrate on his State House bid. Philip Kisia also resigned as Nairobi Town Clerk to seek the city's Governor seat.
On Thursday, Kenyan ambassador to Belgium Kembi Gitura announced he had quit to vie for the Murang'a County Senate seat.
Civil servants who have declared interest in vying for various elective posts include Livestock PS Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma County Governor), government spokesman Alfred Mutua (Machakos County Governor), among others.
