Economy

State officials involved in campaigns warned

regi

Acting Ombudsman Regina Mwatha. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Public officials engaged in campaigns using State resources are breaking the law and their actions could lead to the disqualification of the party and the candidate they support, the Ombudsman has said.

In an advisory opinion, the Commission on Administrative Justice — the Ombudsman — rubbished the stand by State House on the top civil servants, as well as that of the electoral agency, which had ruled that ministers were exempt from the ban on political campaigns by top officials.

The civil servants, the agency said, include Cabinet secretaries, PSs and other senior public servants as well as those in the counties openly supporting their governors.

“In our view, the question of accountability of public officers should be continuous and not summative to coincide with the electioneering period since this blurs the line between accountability and political campaign,” acting Ombudsman Regina Mwatha said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had cited the Leadership and Integrity Act for allowing Cabinet secretaries to campaign freely, State House had defended the officials, saying they were only explaining policy.

But the Ombudsman said: “The IEBC should take action against any political party or candidate who is proven to have aided or abetted the participation of public officers or use of public resources in political activities.”