Sicily Kariuki: I paid the price for being loyal to Uhuru
National
By
Sharon Wanga
| Feb 21, 2024
Former Cabinet Secretary (CS) Sicily Kariuki has reflected on her political journey after resigning from public service.
In an interview on Spice FM, the former Water CS said that she failed to clinch the Nyandarua gubernatorial position due to her loyalty to retired president Uhuru Kenyatta.
"There comes a time when you pay the price of being loyal. I knew very well that jubilee was not the party, even as I resigned I knew it was going to be hard work because of the conversation I was having with people on the ground," she said.
She was the last CS to resign from the previous regime to join the political space in the 2022 general elections.
Kariuki said that she received calls a few days before the nominations to step down for another candidate but did not bow to the pressure.
"Four days before names were submitted at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), I started receiving visitors and calls. A decision was to be made that I would not secure the certificate," she narrated.
Sicily has since written a book titled 'Breaking the Illusions'. She details several attempted impeachment motions tabled against her during her tenure at the ministries.
"When I came to be appointed into the cabinet, people thought it was a connection. I decided to tell my story to tell people I am from a humble background. I didn't bribe my way into the top positions," she said.
Kariuki served as the Water Cabinet Secretary since January 20, 2020. Previously, she had served in the same capacity in the Health docket.
Between December 2015 and January 2018, she served as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs.