A blatant disregard for the Constitution is unfolding as Kenyan Cabinet Secretaries abandon their mandate for political neutrality, openly orchestrating campaigns for President William Ruto's second term.

The sanctity of public office is under severe threat. In a display of political hubris, high-ranking state officers are actively transforming their dockets into campaign machineries ahead of the 2027 General Elections, violating the core tenets of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

This partisan mobilisation by civil servants threatens to erode public trust in government institutions and sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in East Africa's largest economy.

The Erosion of Neutrality

The law is unequivocal: appointed state officers must remain detached from partisan politics. However, the current administration is witnessing a disturbing trend where Cabinet Secretaries act as political attack dogs and regional kingpins.

This overt politicking involves the misuse of state resources, leveraging official government tours to peddle party agendas, and marginalising regions perceived as sympathetic to the opposition.

A Regulatory Tightrope

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) are walking a perilous regulatory tightrope. While mandated to enforce the Leadership and Integrity Act, these watchdogs often lack the political backing to sanction powerful executive figures.

The silence of oversight institutions in the face of these violations emboldens a culture of impunity and weakens the democratic fabric of the nation.

• Cabinet Secretaries must be compelled to distinguish between official government policy and ruling party manifestos.
• Parliament must exercise its oversight authority to summon and censure state officers engaging in premature campaigns.
• Civil society organizations are preparing strategic litigation to challenge the constitutionality of these partisan activities.

The Economic Distraction

As Cabinet Secretaries crisscross the country solidifying political bases, critical dockets are left unattended. The nation is grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis, staggering youth unemployment, and crippling national debt.

The obsession with 2027 distracts the executive from formulating and implementing the urgent economic interventions required to stabilize the Kenyan Shilling and stimulate industrial growth.

"When the stewards of state resources become the architects of partisan campaigns, the citizen is abandoned at the altar of political ambition."