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Why Kenyans resign from Lucrative Positions to join Politics

Kenyans have been resigning from lucrative positions in both the private and public sector to seek elective seats.

As Uhuru Kenyatta’s term approaches a tumultuous halt, his employees are uncertain of their job security. 

What baffles mutual logic is why Kenyans quit lucrative positions to join politics. There are higher stakes in politics than other jobs as politicians have the tendency to attract influence, power and money.

There are many politicians who use colossal amounts of money that even exceeds the cumulative salaries to be paid after winning a particular seat. 

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 prohibits public officers from active political engagement. Cabinet Secretaries are classified as State officers hence the restraint on their political engagement. However, we have witnessed a number of Cabinet Secretaries hitting the campaign trail.

Cabinet Resignations

Recently four Cabinet Secretaries resigned to seek gubernatorial positions in the 2022 general elections scheduled to be held on August 9th.  

Among those who quit the Cabinet include John Munyes(Petroleum Ministry), Sicily Kariuki (Water), Adam Mohammed (East African Community) and Charles Keter (Devolution and ASAL). 

Munyes has declared interest to contest as a governor for Turkana County, Sicily is seeking the Nyandarua gubernatorial position, Mohamed is vying for the governor’s seat in Mandera and Keter is seeking to replace Paul Chepkwony as Kericho governor.

Apart from the resignation of CSs, there have also been other resignations from various state and public jobs. 

Nzioka Waita resigned as State House Chief of Staff to contest as the next Machakos Governor. He will square it out with former Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti. Former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya resigned to join the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial race.

Political Stakes

Politics is all about interests and each politician has his or her own interest to protect. As election date approaches, there arise rampant cases of defections and realignments.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka recently accused Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula for betraying the course of OKA and joining hands with Deputy President William Ruto.

In Kenya, politicians particularly those with close proximity to State House wield immense powers and control over others. 

During Jubilee’s first term, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter was captured on video harassing a weigh bridge officers and threatening him with sack after the official barricaded a truck belonging to one female politician.

Apart from presidential race, the position of a County Governor is the most competitive and some MPs will be promoting themselves with the aim of controlling county resources. Ambitious politicians want to control County resources.

However, the gubernatorial position seems to be the most ‘political endangered’ seat. Two governors were impeached by both their respective County assemblies and the Senate. 

Ferdinand Waititu lost his position as Kiambu governor and Mike Sonko lost his Nairobi seat after the Senate approved their impeachment process. Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru managed to save herself after she was sanitized by Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.


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