Prosecute campaigning public servants or we will, NASA tells Tobiko

The National Super Alliance (NASA) has now threatened to sue nine state and public officers for illegally engaging in politics if Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Keriako Tobiko does not take action on them in seven days– this announcement coming just days after flag bearer Raila Odinga accused Jubilee Party of using public resources to campaign ahead of the August 8 General Election.

Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, the Opposition Coalition said that it had written to Tobiko asking him to prosecute six Cabinet Secretaries, one Permanent Secretary and Kenya Revenue Authority boss over contravening Article 81 of the constitution by actively taking part in politics.

“We have seen over the last two months state and public officers engaged in political activity in support of Jubilee Party and its candidates, including the President, in the general elections. The same officers are using state resources and assets including government vehicle in the campaigns,” read NASA’s letter.

The six cabinet secretaries mentioned are Fred Matiangi, Eugene Wamalwa, Mwangi Kiunjuri, James Macharia, Najib Balala, Cleophas Mailu, Joseph Nkaisery were listed in the letter to Tobiko. Energy PS Joseph Njoroge and KRA Commissioner General John Njiraini were also on the list.

In the letter, NASA argued that these nine have proven that they have no respect for the integrity of the offices they hold.

“There is constant and breach of constitutional principles and values of public service and gross misconduct in affecting the dignity, honour and integrity of public office. The state and public officers have no regard to the leadership and integrity law,” the letter read further.

NASA asked Tobiko to honor his word concerning the prosecution of those committing election offenses; further stating that following through on this is integral to delivering free and fair elections.