Education CAS Hassan Noor Hassan announces plans to run for Mandera governor seat

Education CAS Hassan Noor speaks during a past event in Mombasa County. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Education Chief Administrative Secretary Hassan Noor Hassan has declared interest in the Mandera County governorship seat.

Announcing his intent to vie, Hassan said he has been tried and tested in several senior government positions.

“There is no doubt that I have led in very significant positions in this country. Currently, I am the deputy minister for education and there is no doubt that I am the true candidate for governorship,” said Hassan.

Hassan Noor’s bid to succeed Governor Ali Roba heightens the contest which already boasts Mandera Speaker Mohamed Khalif, businessman Adan Haji Issack and banker Ali Kiti.

Governor Ali Roba is serving the final term.

The CAS who will run for governorship on the Ukur Yattani-led Upya Movement is among high ranking education officials eying elective seats, including Education CAS Mumina Gallo Bonaya who is seeking the Marsabit Woman Representative seat.

Former EACC CEO and Universities Fund chairman Halakhe Waqo is expected to contest for the Isiolo governorship seat while Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) chairman, Dr Kilemi Mwiria, will be vying for Tigania West parliamentary seat.

Former EACC CEO and Universities Fund chairman Halakhe Waqo. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Central Regional Director of Education John Lekakeny Ololtuaa has meanwhile resigned from Public Service after 28 years to vie for Kilgoris Parliamentary seat.

At the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), nearly all national officials have expressed interest in politics.

Led by KUPPET secretary-general Akello Misori, who is seeking to succeed Governor Cyprian Awiti in Homa Bay County, executive secretaries in Kisumu, Bungoma, Makueni, and Nandi will be running for MP seats.

10 branch officials will contest MCA seats.

Chairman Omboko Milemba will defend his Emuhaya MP seat while treasurer Wicks Mwethi Njenga, vice-chairman Julius Korir, Sammy Chelanga and Henry Obwocha are eying Kabete, Soy, Baringo North and Kitutu Masaba parliamentary seats respectively.

On the other hand, gender secretary Catherine Wambilyanga will defend her Bungoma Women Representative seat.

At the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), none of the national officials is contesting political seats. However, at least 13 executive secretaries have expressed interest.

In Western, Bungoma East’s Aggrey Namisi, Patrick Chungani (Kakamega East) and Archedeous Liyayi (Kakamega South) will seek parliamentary seats.

KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori. [Samson Wire, Standard]

In Nyanza, Gucha executive secretary Lucy Machuki and Siaya Woman Representative Mildred Ogogo will battle for the Kisii and Siaya Woman Representative positions, respectively. Homa Bay Executive-secretary Cornel Ojuok and Eliud Ombori (Rachuonyo) will run for MCA seats.

The script is the same for Ndung’u J., the executive-secretary Nyandarua North, and John Njata (Muranga South), who will contest for MCA positions in Central.

Nyambene executive-secretary Julius Taitumu, Kasimba Ngui (Yatta), and Macharia Mugwe (Nairobi) will contest for MP seats in Eastern.