Governor’s Wife Resigns From Govt Job, Targets Influential Position

The county first lady, who is also retired President Mwai Kibaki's niece is turned heads, moving from one senior government position to the other.

Maria Mbeneka who is wife to Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, has been on the forefront vying for the position of president at the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in the oncoming elections scheduled for February 27.

On Thursday, February 6, Mbeneka resigned from the Co-operative Tribunal at the Ministry of Agriculture in order to concentrate on her campaigns, as was communicated in a press release sent to newsrooms. 

In a letter to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, Mbeneka notified the CS of her decision to resign as a member of the tribunal with immediate effect.

“As a candidate in the forthcoming LSK presidential contest, I have found it necessary to resign from the Co-operatives Tribunal in order to concentrate on my campaigns between now and the election day. 

“It has been a privilege to serve the distinguished tribunal which serves a lot of Kenyans,” read the letter. 

Mbeneka also expressed her gratitude to the CS for appointing her to serve in the tribunal indicating that it was a privilege. 

“In recent times, I have announced my intention to serve the legal fraternity in a different capacity as the president of the Law Society of Kenya, my intention to serve in this capacity may create a potential conflict of interest given my current status as a member of the Co-operative Tribunal. 

“My resolve to become the next president of LSK is unbowed and I will not let anything stand on my way, be it for real or imagined reasons,” remarked Mbeneka.

In her quest to head the lawyers' professional body, Mbeneka stated that she has for the past two years served the LSK as a council member diligently and her achievements are second to none.

“I pledge to keep up the same spirit and momentum as president of the LSK. My commitment to you is that I will deliver over and above what I have set out to do,” added Mbeneka.

Mbeneka assumed the position of the first lady at Laikipia County after Governor Ndiritu Muriithi won the gubernatorial election on an independent ticket in August 2017.