``I’m taking
this bold step; I’m not running away from the public service…… However, I’m
only responding to a calling of a higher level of national service.”
These are
the words of immediate former Education permanent secretary, Prof. James Ole
Kiyiapi, as he announced his resignation at Jogoo House, on Monday, April 16
2012. A bold statement of intent indeed,
from the former permanent secretary, since he made public his intentions to
contest for the country’s top- seat in the next General Elections. Ole Kiyiapi
has set the precedent for those holding senior posts in the civil service and
wish to run for elective posts in the coming polls. This is in compliance with
the constitutional requirement that compels civil servants eyeing elective
posts to quit seven months to the elections. Easier said than done, many senior
civil servants have already hinted to being in the ballot box, in the General elections,
but have showed no signs of quitting their plush civil service offices.
These senior
civil servants have given all manner of reasons as to why they may not Ole
Kiyiapi’s move and resign from these offices. Most notably is that the court’s
decision about the March election may be rescinded, thus they wish to continue
serving the nation. A laughable line of defense indeed! They have chosen to
hide behind the uncertainty that has clouded the actual date for the next poll.
Leadership
posts are guided by moral obligations that transcend all other factors, and Ole
Kiyiapi has exemplified this. That he chose to forego the trappings of power
that come with these high posts: hefty salaries and state-of- art treatment as
a VIP in the country, is no mean achievement. Is this too much to ask for all
those senior civil servants eyeing the posts of governors and senators? I don’t
think that the Kenyan electorate is asking for too much. Technocrats are key to
the future of this country, and it will only be wise if they show their
boldness, just as Ole Kiyiapi did and resign from their high offices.
These
elective posts require intense lobbying and campaigning which are
energy-sapping, time- consuming and rigorous. They are expensive to conduct. In
the ensuing confusion, state vehicles, which are fuelled and maintained by the
tax-payer’s money, are used to conduct this. This is despite the fact that it
is against the law and gives advantage to some at the expense of their
opponents. The Kenyan electorate can now rest assured that Ole Kiyiapi is not
going to do this. A plus indeed for the aspiring president.
Ole
Kiyiapi’s resignation will surely give him the invaluable time that he so much
needs to transverse the country and sell himself to the electorate. This is
because one cannot effectively juggle between delivering service to the people
and campaigning for his or her election.
As Education
Minister, Mutula kilonzo put it, Kenyan need to learn and elect true reformers
and patriots, who do not merely talk the walk, but walk it. Leaders who are
devoid of the ugly ethnic and tribal affiliations are what this country needs.
In Ole Kiyiapi, we got one such leader.
From
lecturing at the Moi University to serving as the permanent secretary in the
ministries of Environment, Medical Services and finally Education, the house on
the hill may just be his next stop.
Go for it professor because you can.
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