Rebel Jubilee governors face tough contest in 2017 elections

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto

The contest for governorship promises a fierce battle especially for rebel Jubilee governors in the 2017 General Election.

It has emerged that some leaders eyeing the seats have the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, who are keen to replace governors perceived as rebels.

One of the counties to watch keenly is Bomet, where Governor Isaac Ruto has been on a collision course with the Deputy President.

National Assembly deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso is keen to replace the combative governor critical of the Jubilee administration. If successful, Dr Laboso will take charge of a county with an annual budget of Sh4.5 billion and revenue of about Sh206 million annually.

She seems to enjoy the support of the DP and a majority of United Republican Party (URP) brigade from the region.

The Sotik MP will also battle it out with former Konoin MP Julius Kones who lost narrowly to Ruto in the last URP primaries.

In Kericho, Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat is seeking to dislodge Governor Paul Chepkwony, an erstwhile political rival of the DP who had fallen out with the URP leadership.

Prof Chepkwony who controls the county’s Sh3.9 billion purse differed with the DP over his close association with Governor Ruto and the push for a referendum.

Defected

It might however not be a smooth ride for the two-term MP of Ainamoi as former Buret MP Franklin Bett is reportedly eyeing the seat too.

Recently Mr Bett defected from ODM to JAP and contested in the Kericho Senate by-election but lost in the primaries. He was appointed Agricultural Finance Corporation Chairman.

Analysts say the county that relies on tea as its main economic stay has the potential of generating more than Sh414 million revenue.

Besides the desire to offer to offer quality leadership there are other factors that have contributed to the sudden interest in the governorship.

“As county managers, governors are responsible for implementing county laws and overseeing the operation of the county executives” says lawyer David Mongeri, the Law Society of Kenya-Rift Valley chapter chairman.

Bishop Abraham Gitu of the Likia and Beyond Peace and Conflict Resolution Council believes that the huge amounts of money allocated to counties from the National Government has made the governorship attractive.

Kericho Professional Caucus chairman Ben Siele says the scramble for the governorship is about control of resources.

“Being a governor means everything to any politician with ambitions of becoming president or deputy president. It is a position closer to the presidency hence the clamour for the seat,” says Mr Siele.

A tight race is also shaping up in Nakuru County where National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) chairman Lee Kinyanjui is seeking to unseat Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.

The former Nakuru town MP has been meeting youths, women and business men in a clear indication that he has started mobilising support for his governor bid.

Mr Kinyanjui whose term at NTSA ends in September and plans to launch his campaign for the seat in October. “I am ready for the contest but for now am seriously discharging my duties at NTSA,” he told The Standard on Sunday.

The former MP who lost in The National Alliance (TNA) party primaries to Governor Mbugua in 2013, is not the only one eyeing the gubernatorial seat.

The seat has also attracted Nacada chairman John Mututho, Senator James Munga, former Kuresoi MP James Koskei and Reverend Lawrence Bomet.

Analysts believe the county’s Sh10 billion annual budget could have attracted many contestants.

“For the past three years the current governor has controlled over Sh30 billion and by the end of his first term, he will have handled around Sh50 milion. Who would not want to manage such an amount?” civil rights activist Paul Masese says.

In neighboring Narok County, Governor Samuel Tunai will not be having it easy either. The battle to control billions of shillings from tourism revenue generated at Masai Mara National Game Reserve is shaping up.

The governor started facing opposition soon after he was sworn in after a group of local leaders ganged up to criticise his administration.

Former ICT Principal Secretary Joseph Musuni Tiampati and Narok West MP Patrick ole Ntutu have declared interest for the seat.

Lawyer Ledama ole Kina says Narok being among the richest counties in the country with tourism and agriculture as the mainstay, is expected to attract a lot of interest both internal and external.

Mr Kina says the resources in the county have for long been the source of the supremacy battle between the governor and some legislators.

Records shows that in 2015/2016 financial year, the county was allocated Sh5.27 billion by Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), Sh205 million conditional grants, while Sh3.5 billion was generated from local revenue sources bringing the total to Sh8.7 billion.

Of the Sh3.5 billion local revenue, Sh2 billion comes from tourism in Masai Mara.

“The massive resources in Narok explains clearly why the seat is the most sought after by politicians, businessmen and other players even those from outside the county who have been supporting certain politicians,” he says.

A similar contest is expected in Samburu County where former Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer, Gabriel Lengoiboni is determined to unseat Governor Moses Lenolkulal.

A week ago, the former TSC boss launched his campaign for the seat in Maralal town.

Mr Lengoiboni, 60, who retired in July last year after serving the commission for 11 years is interested in managing the county’s annual budget that stands at Sh3 billion.

And in Kajiado County, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku declared his interest for governorship. He will battle it out with Governor David Nkedianye to control the county’s Sh 4.6 billion annual budget.

Former Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia is seeking to unseat Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka to control the Sh3.9 billion annal budget. Mr Waithaka’s deputy Mwangi Waithaka is eyeing the seat. In Baringo, Governor Cheboi will battle it with Simon Chelugui and Dr Edward Sambili.

– Additional reporting by Robert Kiplagat

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