Kenyan Governors pick new leader

Outgoing Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto (right) and Whip Ken
Lusaka during a past function. [PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: The chief executives of Kenya’s 47 counties were last evening frantically trying to reach a consensus on the new leadership of the Council of Governors to avoid divisive elections today (Thursday).

A flurry of meetings were underway to try and manage the transition of leadership from the team chaired by fiery Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who has served the legal two-term limit, with three governors jostling for the seat.

Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Peter Munya (Meru) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale) who are vying for the chairman’s position, had been asked by colleagues to agree among themselves who would succeed Ruto to avoid a divisive poll.

Other governors were also reaching out to the candidates separately hours to today's elections in Nairobi during which the county chiefs will also elect their vice chairman and Whip.

"The candidates have been asked to reach a consensus among themselves to avoid a divisive election. If there is no deal by tonight, then we will have to go for elections, but should I lose, I will support whoever is elected chairman," Munya told The Standard.

Outgoing Whip, Bungoma's Kenneth Lusaka said: "We are trying to prevent a direct election which will leave the council divided. We have encouraged the contestants to dialogue among themselves and reach a deal that is acceptable to all."

Oparanya had also told The Standard that he was banking on "consensus through negotiation because we understand our strength in diversity."

"I will endeavor to lead the consultations," Oparanya said, adding that he was not worried if he would live up to Ruto's aggressive style if he bags the post because he was capable of leading the council.

"The chairman of the council provides leadership; he basically communicates the position of the council which is usually arrived at by consensus. I will continue to build a strong system of consensus building and firmly maintain the corporate position of the council," Oparanya told The Standard.

The team picked today will take office at a time the governors are pressing for a referendum to increase the allocation to counties and are also demanding a role in management of security in their jurisdictions.

Oparanya said that if picked, he will continue campaigns for increased revenue allocations to counties and digitisation of revenue collections to reduce graft.

The process is being keenly watched by the Government and Opposition for separate reasons.

For President Uhuru Kenyatta, the exit of Isaac Ruto is a welcome relief because he has been an outspoken critic of his administration and he may be secretly wishing that the incoming leaders will be less abrasive.

And Raila Odinga's Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), which is championing a parallel referendum bid under Okoa Kenya initiative, has publicly acknowledged it would want a merger with the governor's pesa mashinani (money to the grassroots) crusade.

STRIKE DEAL

As such, the Opposition would hope the new leadership is one they can strike a deal with to jointly face off with President Kenyatta's government that has flatly opposed the referendum. The Uhuru administration has also had  several run-ins with governors over their role in security and management of roads among others.

By Wednesday, governors were divided on who among three governors should succeed incumbent council chairman Governor Isaac Ruto (Bomet).

"It is tricky at this point. CORD leader Raila Odinga's support for governor Oparanya might complicate issues for him. The endorsing remarks have not been taken positively by majority of the governors," revealed a Jubilee governor, who requested not to be named.

He said governors fear that Mvurya may be overrun by the Jubilee government.

"Munya may have to shed off the corruption tag after being mentioned adversely mentioned in the EACC report. I do not know how but he stands a chance," he added.

Governor James Ongwae (Kisii) told The Standard on phone the elections will conducted in a bi-partisan way.

"We are going to take a bipartisan approach and the best person will win. The council election has nothing to do with political parties. It is about counties' affairs," he stressed.

Ongwae exuded confidence that the governor will settle for the best candidate to champion devolution as has been the case with the outgoing chair.

"We are trying to avoid voting. We want the candidates to reach a consensus," said Governor Lusaka, the outgoing council whip.

Munya has maintained he possess the leadership qualities to lead the council and ensure implementation of pending projects and programmes.