In a bold move that has sparked controversy within Kenya’s political sphere, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a resolute demand for the resignation of Kenya Revenue Authority Chairman Anthony Mwaura and Kenya Power counterpart Joy Mdivo. This call to action comes in response to the duo’s recent appointments to key positions within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a move deemed incompatible with their roles as public servants.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna minced no words as he articulated the party’s stance on the matter, asserting, “We deliberated on the developments in other parties and their implications for the nation. In particular, the Committee expressed deep concerns over developments in UDA, where public officers, paid by taxpayers from all political formations, have been appointed as party officials.” Sifuna’s apprehensions extend beyond mere partisan politics, as he warned against the resurgence of a perilous trend reminiscent of the Party State system of the 1980s.
Drawing a stark parallel to a bygone era marked by the fusion of party leadership and public service, Sifuna cautioned against the potential ramifications of intertwining political allegiance with official duties. “What followed was a youth wing with watchdog or surveillance responsibilities over the entire nation. We take the position that this development is wrong. It is a recipe for chaos, dictatorship and partisanship in the management of public affairs,” he elaborated.
The ODM Secretary-General left no room for ambiguity in his stance, demanding unequivocally, “Consequently, we demand that all those people who have been named as UDA officials must immediately resign from public service. There is no way they will serve two masters, the public and the UDA party.”
The controversy stems from Tuesday’s announcement by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), wherein Mr. Mwaura was appointed as the chairman of the party’s National Elections Board, and Ms. Mdivo as the head of the Electoral Dispute Resolution Committee for upcoming party elections scheduled to take place from April 26 to August 24, 2024.
Meanwhile, ODM has charted its own course by unveiling plans for staggered grassroots party elections, set to kick off on April 27 with nine counties spearheading the process. As tensions mount and political maneuvering intensifies, the ramifications of this clash between party politics and public service remain poised to shape Kenya’s political landscape in the days to come.
