Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has spoken out after reports emerged that he was among a roster of CSs planning to quit for elective posts in 2022.
In a statement he shared on Wednesday, July 14, Balala refuted the claims noting that he was contented serving as the Cabinet Secretary for tourism.
He further noted that he would not be seeking an elective post in the upcoming elections.
"My attention has been drawn to the recent media report including in today's Standard Newspaper headline story alleging that I will soon be resigning my present position as Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, to vie for an unspecified political office in the 2022 General Elections.
"For the avoidance of doubt, I want to categorically state that my focus is to continue to serve the country in my current position as Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife and that I have no plans to vie for any elective position anywhere in Kenya," he noted.
In their Wednesday edition, the Standard insinuated that Balala was among half of the country's Cabinet Secretaries who were planning to tender in their resignation letters.
The publication had also indicated that the CS was preparing to vie for the Mombasa Senatorial seat with an aim of unseating Senator Mohamed Faki Mwinyihaji.
Other CSs mentioned in the story were Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, John Munyes (Mining and Petroleum), Peter Munya (Agriculture), Sicily Kariuki (Water and Sanitation), Charles Keter (Energy), Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Simon Chelugui (Labour) and Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution).
All the others were reportedly eying for gubernatorial seats.
None of the CSs mentioned has, however, publicly expressed interest to run for elective office in the elections slated for slightly more than a year.
According to the law, State and public officers should resign within 14 days from the day the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gives notice for polls or before parties conduct nominations.
Only elected leaders including Governors, Senators, President and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are not required to resign.
