A number of former governors, poll losers and President William Ruto’s loyalists who played a key role in his election are among shortlisted candidates for the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions soon after the court paved way for their appointment.
The prospective candidates also include former principal secretaries, trade unionists, party operatives allied to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, academics and other professionals.
Among the 224 candidates who have made the shortlist include former governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Hussein Dado (Tana River), John Mrutu (Taita Taveta), Samuel Tunai (Narok), Samwel Ragwa (Tharaka Nithi) and Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu).
Last year’s election losers who have also made it to the list include Nairobi senatorial aspirant Bishop Margaret Wanjiru who lost the seat to Edwin Sifuna who was with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, Purity Ngirici who ran for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat on an independent ticket but lost to UDA’s Anne Waiguru.
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga who ran for the Nairobi Women Representative seat in a UDA party ticket but lost to ODM’s Esther Passaris has also been shortlisted.
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero has also been shortlisted after he lost the Homa Bay gubernatorial seat but lost to ODM’s Gladys Wanga.
Kidero challenged Wanga’s appointment after he came second with 152,182 votes against Wanga’s 244,059 votes.
In 2018, Kidero was charged with three accounts of corruption and economic crimes. He was accused of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption.
The court however struck out one of the graft charges after finding there were insufficient details of the alleged crime after finding there were insufficient details.
Also in the list is former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa who lost the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat on Ford Kenya and lost to governor George Natembeya who vied on the Democratic Action Party of Kenya ticket, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala after he vied for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat but lost to Odinga’s ally Fernandes Barasa after garnering 159,508 votes.
Former Kisii governor James Ongwae who joined Kenya Kwanza after he lost on an Azimio ticket is also on the list together with his deputy Joash Maangi.
Others on the list include former Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Jwan and chairman of Secondary School Heads Association Indimuli Kahii, former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion and former footballer Macdonald Mariga and University don, Prof Micheni Ntiba.
President Ruto’s digital strategist Dennis Itumbi has also been shortlisted, former journalist Mwanaisha Chidzuga, Ali Mbogo, Charles Njagua, Isaac Mwaura, Simon Mbugua, Kimani Ngunjiri, Joyce Emanikor, Nicholas Gumbo, Gideon Keter and Wesley Korir.
The interviews of the shortlisted candidates according to Public Service Commission chairperson Anthony Muchiri will begin on March 1 and Kenyans have been asked to submit petitions on those shortlisted by Tuesday next week.
Last week, the Employment and Labour Relations Court paved way for their appointments as it dismissed a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) challenging their positions in the public service.
Justice Monica Mbaru ruled that the PSC followed the requisite legal procedure to establish their office.