NAIROBI, Kenya – The Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a stern warning to all government employees against engaging in political activities linked to the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 27.
In a circular signed by PSC vice chairperson Mary Kimonye, the commission reminded civil servants that the public service must remain impartial and free from political influence during the election period.
“Any public officer aspiring to contest in the by-elections must have resigned from their position within seven days of the declaration of the vacancies,” the circular stated.
The commission said the directive seeks to draw a clear line between public service and political ambitions, cautioning that any breach of neutrality could invite disciplinary action.
Kimonye’s memo also directed heads of ministries, state corporations, universities, and public agencies to submit lists of officers who have resigned to pursue elective seats.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that the November mini-polls will fill 24 vacant seats across Parliament and county assemblies, following court nullifications and the deaths of previous office holders.
The contests are expected to serve as an early test of political strength between the ruling coalition and the opposition, ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The PSC cited several laws that restrict political involvement by public officers, including the Political Parties Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act, and the newly enacted Conflict of Interest Act, 2025.
Sections 12(c) and (d) of the Political Parties Act explicitly bar public officers from engaging in political activities that may compromise their neutrality, while the Leadership and Integrity Act and the Public Service Code of Conduct prohibit them from acting as agents of political parties or advancing partisan interests while in office.
Kimonye said the reminder was necessary to “uphold integrity in public institutions and protect the public service from political interference.”
The circular also signals a renewed government effort to enforce ethics and anti-conflict-of-interest laws in the run-up to the polls — a move likely to test compliance across public offices, especially in politically sensitive regions.
