More poll losers get state appointments

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero (second left) celebrates outside City hall, Nairobi, with his supporters after the court ruled in his favour in a petition filed by Ferdinand Waititu on September 10, 2013. Politicians who lost in the last General Election continued landing key public jobs. Former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu has been appointed Chairman of Athi Water Services Board. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• The four join a long list of politicians rejected in the last poll who have been brought back into public office.
• The appointments have attracted widespread criticism, with the latest coming from an association of MPs with disabilities which accused the Jubilee administration of violating the Constitution

By PETER OBUYA
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By JOHN NGIRACHU
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Politicians who lost in the last General Election continued landing key public jobs, with more being appointed this week.

Former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, who vied for Nairobi governor on a TNA ticket and lost to ODM’s Evans Kidero, has been appointed Chairman of Athi Water Services Board.

The appointment is contained in a Gazette Notice dated January 10 and is signed by Water and Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu. Mr Waititu, who replaces Mr Reuben Ndolo, will serve for three years.

Former Malindi MP Lucas Maitha, who lost on a URP ticket, was appointed Chairman of the National Standards Council board. He will also serve three years.

Another poll loser rewarded with a top position is Mr Albert Mwilitsa. The former Turkana North DC, who quit his job to contest the Kakamega governor seat on a TNA ticket and lost to ODM’s Wycliff Oparanya, will now chair the Standards Tribunal for five years. He replaces Mr Aggrey Shitsama Ambwenga.

Yet another election loser, Mr Tsuma Murabu Chaka, has been chosen to chair the Coast Water Services Board. Mr Chaka contested the Lungalunga parliamentary seat on a Kenya National Democratic Alliance ticket and lost.

The four join a long list of politicians rejected in the last poll who have been brought back into public office.

The appointments have attracted widespread criticism, with the latest coming from an association of MPs with disabilities which accused the Jubilee administration of violating the Constitution.

The Kenya Disability Parliamentary Association said of the more than 40 appointments, none had been given to a disabled person.

Association Chairman, Isaac Mwaura (Nominated, ODM), said the President had breached Article 54 of the Constitution.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi said the government should not forget that it is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on People With Disabilities.

“The government is not employing people with disabilities because it fears they are expensive, which is not the case,” he said.