Acting Ombudsman Regina Mwatha at a past event. [Photo/ businessdailyafrica.com]
Public officers involved in campaigns using State resources are breaking the law and their activities could lead to the disqualification of the party or candidate they support, the Ombudsman has warned.
In an advisory opinion, the Commission on Administrative Justice- the Ombudsman- criticised the stand by State House on top civil servants, as well as the electoral body, which had ruled that ministers and other top government officials were allowed to campaign.The civil servants, the Ombudsman said include Cabinet Secretaries, PSs, and other senior public servants as well as those in the counties supporting their governors.“In our view, the question of accountability of public officers should be continuous and not summative to coincide with the electioneering period since this blurs the line between accountability and political campaign,” acting Ombudsman Regina Mwatha said.The IEBC had cited the Leadership and Integrity Act allowing Cabinet Secretaries to freely campaign. State House on the other hand defended the officials saying they were only explaining policy to members of the public.“The IEBC should take action against any political party or candidate who is proven to have aided or abetted the participation of public officers or use of public resources in political activities,” the Ombudsman said.There have been accusations from the opposition that Cabinet Secretaries were openly campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election contrary to the law.NASA leader Raila Odinga specifically singled out Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, Devolution’s Mwangi Kiunjuri, Fred Matiang’i (Education) Tourism’s Najib Balala and Sicily Kariuki (Public Service).