An Assistant Chief in Kirinyaga County who was dismissed following an order linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua remains out of office months later, raising questions over administrative fairness and the rule of law within the national government structure.
The officer was reportedly removed from service after being accused of political misconduct during a period of heightened political tension in the Mt Kenya region. At the time, the dismissal was said to have followed direct pressure from senior political figures allied to Gachagua, who was then Deputy President.
However, recent political shifts and court rulings limiting political interference in public service appointments have renewed debate over the legality of the sacking. Despite expectations that affected officers would be reinstated after the change in political climate, the Kirinyaga Assistant Chief has yet to be recalled to duty.
Sources within the local administration say the officer has made several appeals to the Ministry of Interior and the Public Service Commission, arguing that due process was not followed before the dismissal. The appeals are said to be under review, but no official communication has been issued regarding reinstatement.
The delay has drawn criticism from civil society groups and local leaders, who argue that public servants should not be punished for perceived political loyalties. They warn that failure to resolve such cases undermines morale among administrators and exposes them to political intimidation.
“This is a clear example of how state officers can become casualties of political power struggles,” said a governance activist in Kirinyaga. “If the dismissal was unlawful, corrective action should be taken without delay.”
The Ministry of Interior has not publicly commented on the specific case. However, officials have previously stated that all disciplinary actions against chiefs and assistant chiefs must comply with public service regulations and be free from political influence.
As the officer continues to wait, the case has become a symbol of broader concerns about accountability, justice, and political interference in Kenya’s local administration. For many observers, how the government handles the matter will signal whether reforms promised under the current political order will translate into real change on the ground.
