While announcing his resignation Tuesday, Munyes said: “The people of Turkana are waiting for me because my next assignment God willing is to run for the seat of governor in Turkana. Turkana is facing a lot of problems,” he said.
Munyes explained that he was moved to join politics to address the challenges being faced by the residents in Turkana that including poverty, lack of water and resources.
Keter on his part said, “I am resigning to focus on contesting for the seat of Kericho Governor. I have the vision and commitment to grow the economy of Kericho, and to transform Kericho to become a model of success.”
Cabinet Secretaries are among government officials required under the Election Act to resign six months to an election if they wish to present themselves as candidates.
More resignations are expected especially after the Court of Appeal upheld provisions of the Elections Act requiring public officials holding appointive offices to resign six months to an election before seeking elective office.
The decision was rendered by Justices Daniel Musinga (President), Wanjiru Karanja and Agnes Murgor on Tuesday a day before the deadline set in the Elections Act.
The appeal arose from a decision rendered by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in March 2017 when Justice Njagi Marete declared Section 43(5) of the Elections Act “unconstitutional and without any legal basis or force ab initio.”
The Appeal Court also overturned Justice Marete’s decision that the Elections Act failed the public participation test saying the judge had no jurisdiction to determine the issue of public participation.
Under Section 43(5) of the Elections Act, “a public officer who intends to contest an election under this Act shall resign from public office at least six months before the date of election.”
Under Section 43(6), the Act however shields elected officials including the President, the Deputy President, Members of Parliament, County Governors, Deputy Governors, Members of County Assemblies from the provision.
