RMS Employees Planning to Run for Political Seats Given Resignation Deadline

Royal Media Services (RMS) has given a deadline for employees seeking to join politics ahead of the August 9 General Elections. 

In an internal memo signed by Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru, RMS directed employees interested in running for any elective position to tender their resignation before 1st March 2022. 

"In line with the company's culture and practice, any employee wishing to contest in any elective position must tender his/her resignation from employment before 1st March 2022

"If you need any further clarification on this matter, consult your Head of Department or the Human Resources Office," read the memo.  

In June 2021, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati unveiled the 2022 election timelines, requiring civil servants seeking political offices to resign in February. 

The law requires that public officers seeking elective seats, resign six months to a general election. 

"A public officer who intends to contest an election under this Act shall resign from the public office at least six months before the date of the election," Section 43(3) of the Elections Act 2011 provides.  

However, On January 9, 2022, Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Monica Mbaru ordered that the section of the Elections Act providing for civil servants' mandatory resignation be stayed. 

The judge gave the order following an application by Julius Wainaina who moved to the court on December 21, seeking the suspension of the Act.

The matter is set for a hearing on January 24, 15 days to the February 9 deadline for public officers to resign.