A fresh legal challenge has been filed against Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei after three registered voters moved to the High Court in Kapsabet seeking orders to have him declared unfit to hold public office.
The petitioners argue that Koskei has gone beyond the limits of his office by taking part in political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election, conduct they say is not allowed for a public officer serving in such a senior position.
The case was filed on Monday by Shadrack Kimeli, Elisha Kiprop and Stephen Sirngewo, who say they are registered voters from six constituencies in Nandi County.
These include Aldai, Tindiret, Nandi Hills, Emgwen, Chesumei and Mosop. Through their petition, they accuse Koskei of abandoning the political neutrality expected of his office by openly supporting leaders seeking elective positions.
According to the court documents, the petitioners claim Koskei has been using public gatherings to influence political leadership in Nandi County. They argue that such actions undermine public trust and could affect the fairness and integrity of the 2027 General Election.
“The petitioners pray for a declaration declaring that the first respondent through his utterances violated the principles of governance under Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya to the extent that the utterances of the first respondent meant that they shall not put into consideration the democracy and participation of the people of Nandi County in choosing their elected leaders,” the court filings state.
To support their claims, the petitioners rely on remarks they say were made by Koskei during public rallies conducted in the Nandi language before being translated and presented in court.
“We have the responsibility of taking care of Nandi. We need leadership that is aware that Nandi County is still lagging behind in terms of development. Even Melly has shown interest in the Nandi gubernatorial seat. I am also there, even the war waged against me is because I am right behind you (Melly). They know that I am right behind fellow constituent,” the petitioners quote Koskei as saying.
They argue that the remarks amount to an open endorsement of Tindiret MP Julius Melly’s bid for the Nandi governor seat, despite Koskei holding an office that requires political neutrality.
The petitioners, through their lawyer Sammy Mathai Maina, further argue that Koskei’s alleged involvement in political campaigns raises serious integrity concerns and interferes with the constitutional right of voters to freely choose their leaders without influence from senior public officials.
The court documents also cite another statement allegedly made by Koskei during a rally in Chepkunyuk Ward in Nandi Hills Constituency.
Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service. PHOTO/@koske_felix/X
“We will not allow to be led by a demagogue (Soriin in the Nandi dialect) and anyone who wants to destroy this land. If you fail to choose wisely, we shall come and interfere in the future. We will not allow, we will fix it,” the petitioners told the court, attributing the remarks to Koskei.
They argue that the statement violated the rights of Nandi County residents to make free political choices.
As a result, they are asking the High Court to declare that Koskei breached the Constitution, remove him from office as Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, and bar him from engaging in political activities while serving in the position.
The matter is now before the High Court in Kapsabet, which will determine whether the petition meets the legal threshold for the orders being sought.