Office remained vacant after Kahiga replaced Governor Gakuru, who died in an accident

The swearing in of the new Nyeri deputy governor last week marked the beginning of a new chapter in the dynamics of politics in the county.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga appointed Caroline Karugu on April 12 to the post, which fell vacant after he was promoted following the death of the governor, Wahome Gakuru, in November last year.

The campaign to get Ms Kaguru's name approved by the county assembly was marred by some MCAs' claims that they were being harassed for questioning her academic credentials and suitability for the post.

But the assembly approved her nomination on Wednesday after a four-hour debate.

Kaguru is the first deputy governor to take office through a vote of the county assembly, and also the first woman to hold the post in the county.

The shadow of Gakuru’s death hangs over the executive, which has for the past few months been trying to remain true to his vision to transform Nyeri County.

Kahiga had promised to appoint a person who shared Gakuru’s vision, even as he tried to incorporate his own leadership style in the face of scepticism whether he was up to the task without a deputy.

During her vetting, when asked if she shared Gakuru's vision, Ms Karugu said, “I will be working in an environment that requires wisdom because emotions are still raw after the demise of two governors in office.”

While the majority leader, James Kanyugo, and his team of those in support of her appointment may have carried the day, Karugu will have to build bridges across to ensure a working relationship with the assembly.

Quite a number of MCAs, led by the deputy speaker, Samuel Kariuki, opposed her appointment.

Speaker John Kaguchia asked Karugu not to dwell on those who had opposed her, but take up the mantle and engage with the assembly on development issues.

With the approval of the county’s second supplementary budget, Ms Karugu will now have to work with the executive committee to ensure the Sh2.4 billion development budget is absorbed in the next two months.

MANUAL REVENUE COLLECTION

According to the first quarter budget implementation report released in January, Nyeri had not spent any funds on development.

The county is targeting to raise Sh1 billion in revenue. However, this may not happen after Kahiga's administration reverted to manual collection of parking fees in January and asked residents to deposit fees into the KCB revenue collection account.

Karugu has promised to reach out to investors in the corporate sector.

In her inaugural speech, Karugu said projects earmarked for the next five years would not be internally financed.