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A number of senior government officials who resigned in February to vie for elective positions tumbled in the party nominations.

Most of them were floored in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) primaries held last Thursday.

Many had quit their lucrative positions with high expectations they would clinch the seats they were hankering for but they went home empty-handed.

Some of them lost despite being close associates of Deputy President William Ruto.

Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter was among those who quit two months ago to run for Kericho governorship. He was elected Kericho Senator in 2013 but resigned two years later to join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet.

His attempt to go back to elective politics failed in last week’s UDA nominations when he registered his first loss since he joined politics in 2002.

Keter, who lost to a political greenhorn Erick Mutai, was among four CSs who resigned before February 9, the deadline for civil servants seeking elective seats, to quit.

Others who resigned were Adan Mohammed (EAC Affairs), John Munyes (Petroleum) and Sicily Kariuki (Water).

On the day he quit, Keter exuded confidence that he would capture Kericho’s governorship only to emerge a distant second.

Mutai, a university don who has been teaching at Embu University, garnered 126,036 votes while the former CS followed with 70,342 votes.

The former CS conceded defeat saying he will support the winner who is projected to win in the August 9 General Election.

“I congratulate all winners and wish them all the best. To all my supporters, agents and teams, I convey my appreciation and gratitude for your support,” said Keter, a former Belgut MP.

Other civil servants who had anchored their future on politics after quitting high-profile posts are former Tourism Chief Administrative Secretary Joseph Boinnet and Wildlife counterpart Fred Segor.

Boinnet, a former Inspector General of Police, emerged second in the Elgeyo Marakwet governor’s contest. He lost to Deputy Governor Wesley Rotich who is also on course to replace his boss, Alex Tolgos.

Rotich garnered 53,764 votes against Boinnet’s 37,563.

In Baringo, Segor lost to former Governor Benjamin Cheboi who is set to make a comeback after emerging victorious in a highly competitive race. Cheboi lost to incumbent Governor Stanley Kiptis in 2017.

In the nominations, Kiptis was third behind Cheboi and Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet.

In Bomet, another former CAS John Mosonik (Petroleum) was also defeated in the quest to become governor. He lost to incumbent Hillary Barchok.

First hurdle

Mosonik managed 62,688 votes against Barchok’s 120,725. Barchok will now face former Governor Isaac Ruto, who will be vying for the seat on his own party, Chama Cha Mashinani, in the August election.

In Uasin Gishu, former ambassadors Julius Bitok (Pakistan) and Sarah Serem (China) were trounced by veteran politician Jonathan Bii, alias Koti Moja.

The duo had left their ambassadorial duties to run for the seat to be vacated by Governor Jackson Mandago who is serving his last term. In the same race, former Nairobi CEC Vescah Kangogo also lost.

Former Nairobi County Lands CEC Charles Kerich lost in the battle for Bomet Central seat. Richard Kilel won the race.

Despite the streak of losses, a number of their colleagues who quit with them managed to jump the first hurdle although they will still have to contend with stiff competition in August.

Former CSs Munyes, who is eyeing Turkana governor seat, Adan, who wants to be Mandera governor and Sicily, who is gunning for the position of Nyandarua governor, are expected to be handed direct tickets by their parties for the August polls.

CASs who were not subjected to primaries after being handed tickets to run for governorship are Simon Kachapin (West Pokot, UDA), Hamadi Boga (Kwale, ODM), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok, UDA), Hussein Dhado (Tana River, UDA), Chris Obure (Kisii, Jubilee) and Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos, Wiper).

Other political newbies whose way to the August polls was smoothened are former Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya (DAP-K, Trans Nzoia), former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita (CCU, Machakos) and Fernandes Barasa (ODM, Kakamega).