James Kiprop Yagan, the Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) for Embakasi North Sub-County, has come under sharp criticism for allegedly engaging in Kariobangi North politics despite being a public servant who is constitutionally barred from taking part in partisan political activities.
A large number of residents are up in arms and have vowed to seek a permit to stage demonstrations against Kiprop, accusing him of neglecting the runaway insecurity plaguing areas under his jurisdiction—including the crime-prone backstreets of Dandora and Kariobangi—while actively participating in politics.
Kiprop is accused of openly campaigning for the UDA candidate in the upcoming Embakasi North Ward by-election.
Reliable reports from the ground indicate that the Embakasi North Deputy County Commissioner and the Kariobangi North Chief have been convening meetings with residents from various ethnic groups under the guise of routine security and empowerment forums, only to turn them into campaign platforms for UDA’s Maina Njoka. This, residents say, is a violation of public service ethics, which strictly prohibit public officers from conducting political meetings or engaging in campaign activities.
Recent opinion polls have consistently placed the ODM and DCP candidates ahead of the UDA candidate—prompting fears that state machinery is now being deployed to influence the vote and subvert the will of the people.
Residents of Kariobangi North, especially supporters of ODM, DCP, and other independent candidates, now accuse the ACC of sabotaging the broad-based government by using his office to push the UDA agenda. They believe this escalation is happening because, following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, some within the UDA wing of government no longer feel bound by the political cooperation that existed within the broad-based arrangement.
Last week, tensions flared when the Kariobangi Chief attempted to introduce Njoka at a government food relief distribution event. Residents protested, insisting that government functions must remain nonpartisan.
“If the ACC and chiefs don’t stop doing UDA politics, even the broad-based government can collapse. Now that Raila is dead, UDA is treating ODM like a rival, yet they still want our support in Ruto’s government. Kiprop has open dislike for other communities. He does nothing in office except speak in his Kalenjin language, and supporters of all other candidates want him removed because we don’t want favoritism,” said an irate resident who requested anonymity for security reasons.
“We, the people of Kariobangi North Ward supporting candidates from ODM, DCP, Wiper, and other parties—including independent candidates—will notify the police about our planned demonstration against the Embakasi North ACC and the Kariobangi North Chief. Since this is a campaign period, if they deny us a permit, we shall storm their offices in campaign T-shirts to demand justice,” another supporter warned.
Residents argue that the UDA side has sensed defeat and is now resorting to using public administrators to campaign for their candidate—an unlawful and unacceptable move.
The ODM Party has scheduled major rallies in Kariobangi North this Saturday to drum up support for its candidate. The rallies will be addressed by top ODM leaders, including Party Leader Oburu Odinga, Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and Nairobi County Chairman George Aladwa. They are expected to strongly condemn the ACC and demand his immediate removal.
Protests are planned for Monday next week.
