A list made public by the Public Service Commission shows that at least 50 lawmakers who ran for various elective seats in the August 9 General Election but lost are on the shortlist for the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) positions (PSC).
These include Ahmed Mukhtar, the Wajir Governor, who arguably held the position for the last time. Former senator of the nation Abdirahman Hassan has also been among those on the shortlist.
Former Emgwen MP Alex Kosgey, Ali Mbogo, who was to be Mike Sonko's running mate in the Mombasa gubernatorial race and served as Kisauni MP in the 12th parliament, former Garissa Woman Representative Anab Gure, former Mombasa Deputy Governor Anania Mwaboza, just-resigned Lamu Senator Anuar Loitiptip, and former Narok County Deputy Governor Evelyn Aruasa
Former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, whose bid for the gubernatorial seat in Trans Nzoia on a Ford Kenya ticket was prevented by former Regional Commissioner George Natembeya, who won the centre on a DAP-Kenya ticket, are other members of the 12th parliament whose attempt to return to the august house or their appetite for gubernatorial seats are in the CAS shortlist.
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Beatrice Nkatha, a former Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative; Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, a former Starehe Member of Parliament (MP); Boniface Gatobu, a vice chairman of the Jubilee Party, and Caleb Kositany, a former Soy Lawmaker, who lost to Jonathan Bii in the Uasin Gishu UDA nominations for the gubernatorial race ticket, have also made it to the CAS shortlist.
Former Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru lost the Laikipia East parliamentary contest to former agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri on the TSP party ticket after being defeated by Amin Deddy in the UDA nominations.
The list also includes former Starehe lawmaker Charles Njagua (also known as "Jaguar"), who lost his seat to Amos Mwago of Jubilee, former EALA member Simon Mbugua, former Bomet senator Christopher Langat, who withdrew from the race at the UDA nominations stage, and Cleophas Malala, who ran for governor of Kakamega on the ANC ticket but lost to Fernandes Barasa.
Cornelly Serem, a former Aldai MP, Dennitah Ghati, an ODM member who came in second to Fatuma Mohamed in the race for Migori Woman Representative, and Nicholas Gumbo, who came in third but lost the race for Siaya Governor, are all vying for CAS positions.
Other notable political losers in the most recent election who are considering applying for CAS jobs include Dr Evans Kidero, the former governor of Nairobi, whose failed bid to become the independent candidate for governor of Homabay, former senator of Kisumu Fred Outa, former Nominated MP Gideon Keter, and former deputy governor of Makueni Adelina Mwau.
After failing to win the Tana River Governor's seat on a UDA ticket, Hussein Dado, a CAS in the Uhuru administration, is vying for a second chance. He lost to Dhadho Godana of the ODM.
Isaac Mwaura, a former candidate for the position of senator. Jackson Kiptanui, a former member of parliament for Keiyo South. Jackline Mwenesi, a former candidate for the position of Vihiga Woman Representative, John Lodepe, a former candidate for Turkana governor; Joseph Wairagu, a former water principal secretary. Joyce Emanikor, a former candidate for the position of governor of Murang'a on a Democratic Party ticket, Khat
Once nominated as a senator, Millicent Omanga was a prominent figure at Kenya Kwanza campaign rallies and lost to Esther Passaris in the election for Nairobi Woman Representative.
Former Manyatta MP John Muchiri Nyaga, who Cecily Mbarire defeated in the UDA nominations for the Embu Governor's seat, veteran politician Kimani Ngunjiri, which Jubilee's Irene Njoki defeated in the Bahati parliamentary race, former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici, who left the UDA to compete against Anne Waiguru in the Kirinyaga Governor's race, former Isiolo Woman Rep