Petition Filed To Stop Appointment Of Joho, Mbadi, Oparanya, Wandayi To Cabinet
A petition has been filed seeking to stop the appointment of four prominent politicians to the cabinet. The petition, filed by a concerned citizen, targets Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. The petitioner argues that these individuals are currently serving in elected positions and should not be considered for cabinet appointments.
In a statement to the media, the petitioner said, “It is against the spirit of the constitution to appoint individuals who are currently serving as elected leaders to the cabinet. This goes against the principles of separation of powers and undermines the independence of the executive and legislative branches of government.” The petitioner further stated that the appointment of these individuals to the cabinet would set a dangerous precedent and open the door for conflicts of interest.
Governor Joho, one of the politicians named in the petition, responded to the allegations by saying, “I am fully committed to serving the people of Mombasa and will continue to do so in my current capacity as governor. I have no interest in joining the cabinet at this time.” Similarly, Governor Oparanya stated, “I am focused on delivering on my mandate as governor of Kakamega and have no plans to join the cabinet.”
National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi dismissed the petition as politically motivated, saying, “This is just an attempt to undermine our democratic processes and limit the choices available to the president in forming his cabinet.” ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna also defended his position, stating, “I am fully dedicated to my role within the party and have no intention of leaving to join the cabinet.”
The petition is set to be heard in court in the coming weeks, and it remains to be seen how the legal process will unfold. In the meantime, the debate over the eligibility of sitting elected officials for cabinet appointments continues to spark controversy and discussion among Kenyan citizens and politicians alike.
