'It is an embarrassment to see ex-governors contest for CAS positions,' MPs say

Speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak show on Tuesday, MP Mbui said that it is suprising to see former leaders and members who lost in the August 2022 polls contesting for the positions and they have already enjoyed the perks of leadership.

According to MP Mbui, the positions need to be given to younger people who have not served in public service for the posterity of the nation's development.

"We are a country that needs to plan its future and not to keep going backwards because a lot of these names of people that keep applying for these positions have already held very senior positions in the country," he said.

"There are people who have served two terms as Governor and now they want to become assistant misters. It is important that if we are going to build the country let's look forward, let's look at our youth and the people that can be able to add value."

MP Mbui further opined that Kenyan leaders who have left office should be willing to venture into other professions other than politics.

He added that the ministerial positions should be made available to other people, preferably young Kenyans, to encourage growth.

"As a country we need to understand that if you go for a political office and you don't make it, find something else to do. Politics is not everything," he said.

"I wish we had our young graduates who have served in the public sector for a few years apply for these positions so that they can be able to grow. For me it's just an embarrassment."

On his part, MP Osoro opined that ex-governors should not be eyeing the CAS positions, claiming that they have already exhausted all opportunities to serve citizens and will not be adding any value to the ministerial posts.

He further echoed MP Mbui's sentiments that the positions should instead be given to younger people.

"It is really very sad to see ex-governors some who have served to their full two terms lining up for these positions. What did you not offer as a county head that you want to offer the country?" he posed.

"It should be an opportunity to nurture young people and prepare them for the future of this country. It should be an opportunity to balance government as long as the 2/3 gender balance is concerned."

The 224 candidates were shortlisted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Monday evening and will be expected to appear for interviews beginning March 1, 2023.

Some of the notable names presented for the positions include:

City pastor and former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Margaret Wanjiru, Former Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany, Former Jubilee MP Gideon Keter and Former Digital Strategist at then-Deputy President William Ruto’s office, Dennis Itumbi.

Other persons include Former Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura, Former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, Former journalist Mwanaisha Chidzuga, Former KNUT Secretary-General Wilson Sossion, Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici and Former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal.

Former journalist Bonnie Musambi was also among those shortlisted together with Footballer McDonald Mariga Wanyama, Former Nominated senator Mary Yiane, Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Former Lamu Senator Anuar Loitiptip, Former Starehe MP Charles Njagua, alias Jaguar among others.

Members of the public have also been invited to submit any credible information about the shortlisted candidates.