Ruto tipped for top post in new outfit

The push to have Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto to take up the chairmanship of the newly registered Kenya Association of County Governments (KACG) has begun in earnest.

The membership of the association comprises governors, county speakers and members of county assemblies.

A section of leaders allied to Mr Ruto believe the position will hand the outgoing Council of Governors (CoG) chairman another lifeline especially due the largely eventful tenure as the head of the council.

According to Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony, Ruto should not 'disappear'  from the political scene after exiting as CoG chairman.

Prof Chepkwony said as CoG chair, Ruto distinguished himself as fearless champion of devolution and his leadership talent should not be allowed to go to waste.

Face opposition

"When he took over as CoG chairman, devolution was under constant threat and that is the reason county leaders want him to chair the association to continue to utilise his brilliance," said Chepkwony.

But the push is likely to meet opposition from officials of the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) that brings together speakers and members of the county assemblies.

CAF National Chairman Abdi Nuh Nassir said none of them was consulted over the formation of the association, its intentions and its leadership.

"Personally, I just read about it in newspapers sometimes last month. Nobody has bothered to consult any official of CAF," he told The Standard yesterday when reached for comment.

The governors registered KACG last month during the Second Devolution Conference in Kisumu and appointed Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga the interim chairman of the new outfit.