State House has issued a strong statement in response to the Opposition's claims that civil servants including Cabinet Secretaries are overstepping their mandate and going against the law by campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election.
A statement delivered by State House spokesperson, Manoah Esipisu, outlined that the civil servants were justified to drum up support for the President as he is their appointing authority.
The spokesperson went ahead to detail that Cabinet Secretaries and senior civil servants have the responsibility to both the government and the Kenyan people to break down key achievements of President Kenyatta's administration.
"They have to account for the progress the administration of Uhuru has made since taking office, and they have to account for the confidence invested in them by the Kenyan people," Esipisu defended.
He further explained that the accused civil servants were not campaigning for President Kenyatta or the Jubilee Party but were merely describing the investments made by the government and how these initiatives are beneficial to Kenyans.
Cabinet Secretaries top on the Opposition's list of offenders include Eugene Wamalwa (Water), Najib Balala (Tourism), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Devolution), Dr Fred Matiang’i (Education) and Charles Keter (Energy) who have all featured prominently during Jubilee rallies in regions considered swing vote areas.
Section 43 (1) of the Elections Act prohibits any public servant from engaging in the activities of any political party or act as an agent of a political party.
The law further outlines that a public servant should not indicate support for or opposition to any party, side or candidate participating in an election.
Mr Esipisu was speaking during a weekly press briefing at State Lodge, Eldoret.
