Why One Of The IEBC Commissioners Should Be Picked From Nyeri County
Immediate former Commissioners, Mathenge Wanderi
By MKT Correspondent
Of late, Kenyans from all walks of life have been expressing their displeasure over fail for the country to have in place a complete Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
As the Executive Office arm of the National Government continues preparing for a new IEBC Commissioners, it will only be good and in order to have one of them picked from Nyeri County. This county, which was the hotbed for Mau Mau, has some big brains with rich experience for holding such a position.
Indeed, one of the immediate former Commissioners, Mathenge Wanderi hails from this county.
Without vouching for him but just being fair, former Nyeri Governor Ambassador Samuel Wamathai Githaiga is one such person who suitably fits. In his public service career spaning several decades and in various disciplines, Amb. Wamathai has distinguished himself as a transformative, dedicated and selfless leader worth appointment as an IEBC Commissioner. This is due to among other reasons, his great love for motherland; International stature and his lifelong impeccable proven global track record.
He was the first Deputy Governor in Nyeri County after Devolution and later served as a Governor in February 2017.
He played a crucial role during the establishment of County management structures and anchoring devolution successfully.
On electoral matters, he has with zeal demonstrated fairness, integrity and maturity over the years and more so an outstanding performance trust; as a voter; candidate election official; and presidential election coordinator and strategist.
He has been in public service for many years since he joined Kenya Public Service Ministry of Transport in 1977 as an Assistant Secretary. He served with honour and integrity and was promoted through the ranks.
By 1992, he was a Deputy Permanent Secretary in Charge of Civil Aviation Administration in Kenya.
In addition, he held an extra position of Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Kenya Civil Aviation Board.
He also served with patriotism as alternate Director on the Boards of Kenya Airways; Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
Internationally, he undertook undergraduate studies in Accounting, Law and Economics at the University of Nairobi and later transferred to McGill University Montreal, Canada on a Government Scholarship for a bachelor’s degree course.
In 1982, he was the second Kenyan to be awarded a Professional Degree in Air & Space Law and Economics. Has undertaken further Senior Management and Leadership full time Courses at Cranfield Institute of Technology U.K; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston U.S.A; IAMTI in Montreal, Canada: and Kenya School of Government, Nairobi, Kenya. Between 1993 and 2002, he diligently served as Government of Kenya appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Specialized Agency known as International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada.
This Agency is responsible for developing and oversighting World Aviation Standards. Returned to Kenya mid 2002 after he was appointed to the United Nations Office in Gigiri, Nairobi as Deputy Regional Director. At the UN in Nairobi, he was responsible for Coordinating and implementing Civil Aviation policy and Strategic Management Oversight matters within 23 Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa Region. He served in this position until December 2010 when he ventured into active politics in Nyeri County.
While living and working in Canada, he observed two General Elections and one successful but tricky referendum.
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