The head of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political advisory unit Nancy Gitau has resigned to pursue ‘her passion’.
Gitau, who is a key adviser on governance tendered her resignation on Monday and according to The Standard, she plans to quit next month.
“I will quit the government beginning August this year. I wrote to his Excellency the President earlier in the week about this matter. I am leaving the government a happy woman. I have accomplished a lot since February 2007,” she said.
Gitau has recently taken a back seat as crucial political decisions are being made including merging Jubilee allied parties.
Allegedly, Gitau and some TNA MPs have been opposed to the party’s dissolution but she downplayed suggestions political intrigues were central to her decision to quit the government.
“I am leaving government to follow my passion. My strong desire is to work on public economic empowerment and poverty alleviation. It is to work in the non-governmental sector as a consultant,” she was quoted by The Standard.
On her relationship with President Kenyatta Gitau said: “His Excellency the President and I have a very good relationship. He trusts me. We have a professional relationship. I’ve worked closely with him since 2009. He wants the best for all Kenyans. I enjoyed working with him and for him. He treated me very well. But time has come for me to move on.”
Others who worked with Gitau are the President’s Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, Jomo Gecaga (President’s Private Secretary), State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa and his deputy George Kariuki, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu, Senior Adviser, Constitutional and Legal Affairs Abdikadir Mohamed and Nzioka Waita who is the Secretary of Delivery, the Presidential Delivery Unit.
Gitau was among those who joined the government from the Kibaki government. Others were Mutea Iringo, Michael Gichangi and former head of public service Francis Kimemia.
The adviser leaves the government at a time when President Kenyatta is preparing his re-election campaign.
Gitau joined the government from USaid where she headed the democracy and governance unit.