Lamu government officers have been ordered to stop taking sides in the forthcoming governor by-elections slated for December 2. Acting Lamu Governor Mohamed Hashim warned of possible conflicts in the area if the civil servants showed interest in some candidates.
He told them to remain neutral if the Court of Appeal rules against an appeal made by the former Governor Issa Timamy against the judgment that nullified his election on March 4.
Addressing a security meeting during the launch of the “Nyumba Kumi” initiative at Lamu Port on Saturday, Hashim said the counties and the national government should work together in maintaining security during the election period. County commissioner Steve Ikua attended the meeting.
“The county commissioner, his deputies, chiefs and their assistants should not use their positions to frustrate candidates,’’ Hashim said.
He told the administrators to be on high alert and keep records of all people living in their areas of jurisdiction. Judgment of the appeal court case will be on November 21 this month but the Independent Elections and Boundary Commission cleared Timamy and Fahim Twaha as candidates for the seat.
Campaigns officially started on Saturday and are set to proceed as per the rules. Ikua has been at loggerheads with Timamy over claims that he (Ikua) is serving the interests of tycoons and land grabbers. Hashim urged civil servants to collect and dispatch accurate data from both sides to avoid conflicts.
The battle for the county governor’s seat shall be between Timamy and Twaha, the only candidates cleared by the IEBC last week. Twaha will vie on Jubilee’s TNA ticket while Timamy is on Amani coalition’s UDF party ticket.