Live update: Senators discuss governors snubbing summons
Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire (centre), flanked by UDA leaders, speaks to the media at the party headquarters in Nairobi on January 21, 2026.
Dozens of government agencies are set to be short-staffed in early 2027 as numerous public officers are eyeing various elective positions, some of them through President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
UDA’s aspirant registration report issued on February 2 shows that public officers, ranging from principal secretaries to board chairpersons, from commission members to county executives, are interested in a plethora of positions countrywide.
As per the report, some 12,535 people had expressed interest in clinching various seats through UDA. Of those, 149 are seeking governorship seats, 279 desire to be senators, woman representatives (323), members of Parliament (1,327) and county assembly members (10,230).
Among the 12,535 individuals, some are public officers. The Constitution defines a public office as a role in the national government, county government or the public service where the holders’ remuneration and benefits are paid directly from the Consolidated Fund or directly out of money provided by Parliament.
As per a ruling issued by the Court of Appeal in 2022, such officers have to resign from their roles six months to the August 10, 2027 General Election.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices Daniel Musinga, Wanjiru Karanja and Agnes Murgor said the resignation is to enhance requirements for neutrality and impartiality of public officers in elections.
President William Ruto addresses aspirants for the 2027 General Election at State House, Nairobi on February 04, 2026.
Their directive was in line with the Elections Act which says: “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.”
However, holders of elective positions, inasmuch as they are paid from the public coffers, can be in office until the election day.
In line with the requirement for public officers to step out of office, several big names will be leaving their current deployments in exactly a year.
President William Ruto and Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki arrrive for a meeting with aspirants for the 2027 General Election at State House, Nairobi on February 04, 2026.
They include Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, who is gunning for the Taita Taveta governorship seat on a UDA ticket. His sole challenger for the UDA ticket as per the list is former governor Granton Samboja, who currently chairs the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya.
Mr Isaac Ruto, currently the vice chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, is seeking to recapture the Bomet governorship position.
Speaking of recapturing, former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero – currently the Kenya Bureau of Standards chairman – is another public officer who is expected to vacate office by February 2027.
President William Ruto addresses aspirants for the 2027 General Election at State House, Nairobi on February 04, 2026.
Another governor seeking to return is Clephas Lagat, the chairman of New Rivatex, who seeks a return to the Nandi County top seat.
Former Soy MP Caleb Kositany, who chairs the Kenya Airports Authority board, is after the Uasin Gishu governorship seat.
In Trans Nzoia, former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa aspires to be the governor, but currently he is the Chairman of the Kenya Bureau of Standards board.
Reporting by Elvis Ondieki, Barnabas Bii, Jurgen Nambeka, Ruth Mbula, Flora Koech, Rushdie Oudia, Vitalis Kimutai and Joseph Openda
