Isaac Ruto retains CoG chairmanship, Evans Kidero thrashed

Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto. (Photo:Standard)

By Steve Mkawale and Antony Gitonga

Naivasha, Kenya: Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has retained his position as chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) after members unanimously endorsed him for another one-year term.

But Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero lost the position of vice-chairman to Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya in an election presided over by council chief executive officer Jackline Omugeni at the Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge.

Kidero, who earlier in the morning had shown indication he would not defend the position, failed to get someone to propose his candidature during the plenary session of the two-day CoG retreat that kicked off yesterday.

He had indicated that his responsibilities as the Governor of Nairobi would affect the discharge of duties as the council deputy chairman.

Governors attending the meeting were in agreement that it was wise to allow Ruto to go for another term for the purpose of consistence in their fight for more resources to be allocated to the counties.

Fight for counties

“It was wise to let him (Ruto) continue as the council chairman after he proved more efficient and consistent in the fight for counties,” said one governor who did not want to be named.

Being a member of the United Republican Party (URP), an affiliate of the Jubilee coalition, it was better for him to carry on as the chairman so that our agenda as governors could not be misinterpreted, said another governor.

Ruto has been vocal in his campaign on the success of devolution and has in the past ruffled feathers with his push for more funds to be allocated to the county governments to manage devolved functions.

During the poll that lasted not more than an hour and conducted by acclamation, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi proposed Ruto for the position while he was seconded by his Kitui counterpart Dr Julius Malombe.

The position of secretary to the council held by Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka was scrapped and replaced by the post of chief whip. Lusaka was made the chief whip unopposed.