Mbadi fires Seth Panyako in a move that sends a sharp warning across Kenya’s political and labour landscape. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has removed unionist and politician Seth Panyako from the Local Authorities Provident Fund Board with immediate effect.
The decision follows months of tension after Panyako openly defied the government by contesting a hotly contested by-election on an opposition ticket. His loss in Malava did little to cool the heat. Instead, it appears to have sealed his fate in a government keen on loyalty and discipline.
Mbadi Fires Seth Panyako as Power Meets Politics
Mbadi has fired Seth Panyako under the authority granted to the Treasury CS by law. On Friday, January 23, Mbadi issued a gazette notice revoking Panyako’s appointment to the LAPFUND Board. He relied on Section 5 of the Local Authorities Provident Fund Act, which gives the CS power to appoint and dismiss board members at will.
The notice left no room for debate. It stated clearly that the revocation took effect immediately. Mbadi did not offer reasons. Still, the political context speaks loudly. Panyako had crossed a red line by challenging the government in the Malava parliamentary by-election last year.
Panyako did not run as an independent voice. He aligned himself with the opposition DAP-Kenya party. That decision placed him directly against the ruling United Democratic Alliance. The contest turned Malava into a national battleground. UDA poured resources into the race to protect its political ground.
The result hurt Panyako. UDA candidate Daniel Ndakwa won with 21,564 votes. Panyako followed closely with 20,210 votes. The narrow margin showed strength, but it also confirmed defeat. In politics, especially under the current administration, defiance without victory carries a price.
Mbadi has fired Panyako at a time when President William Ruto’s administration continues to reshape state-linked institutions. The government has pushed reforms across ministries and state bodies. It has also quietly removed individuals viewed as hostile or unreliable. Panyako’s exit fits that pattern.
Disobedience That Triggered the Axe
Panyako’s troubles did not begin with the by-election loss. They started when he announced his bid while serving on the LAPFUND Board. Critics accused him of abusing office and mixing public duty with politics. Some Kenyans even threatened legal action.
Panyako defended himself aggressively. He argued that LAPFUND is not a state corporation. He insisted that his role as a workers’ representative did not make him a public officer. He maintained that the law allowed him to run.
Those arguments failed to calm the storm. The government watched closely as a senior union leader openly challenged its authority. Panyako addressed rallies, attacked the ruling party, and aligned with opposition leaders. That posture clashed with the expectations placed on board members appointed by the Treasury.
The firing of Panyako has come after that long period of friction. The dismissal now looks less like a surprise and more like a delayed response. It sends a clear signal that political neutrality is not optional for those holding government-linked positions.
What the Sacking Means for Labour and State Boards
Panyako’s firing shakes the labour movement. He serves as the secretary-general of the Kenya National Union of Nurses. He has built a reputation as a vocal defender of workers’ rights. His removal from the board raises questions about how far union leaders can go in active politics while holding government appointments.
LAPFUND plays a critical role in managing retirement savings for local authority workers. The board oversees contributions, investments, and long-term financial security. The government wants stability and compliance in such institutions. It prefers board members who avoid political battles.
Panyako’s appointment came in March 2023 under former Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u. At the time, the government valued his labour credentials. That goodwill evaporated once he took on the ruling party at the ballot.
The sacking also reinforces a wider message. The Ruto administration rewards loyalty and punishes rebellion. Officials who test that boundary risk removal, even if the law does not force the issue.
