End of an era as Uhuru recalls all provincial commissioners

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that all provincial commissioners and other provincial heads of departments be redeployed to other national duties.

In his speech at the Madaraka Day celebrations, the president said the move was part of the restructuring process of the provincial administration as required by the Constitution which invalidated their positions.

“Through enactment of various legislations, the national government has continued to realign its functions and the process of transfer of functions to the county governments has started,” he said on Saturday.

The move, widely viewed as a step towards clearing the air on the role of provincial administrators, now leaves governors and county commissioners jostling over which office wields the most power. However, President Kenyatta called on governors and “other leaders at the county level” to focus on growing county economies in order to create opportunities and wealth for the people.

“I also urge leaders to enlighten Kenyans that even as we implement devolution, Kenya remains one indivisible nation,” he said, adding that the national government will continue to support the county governments through capacity building.

“I pledge to promote the spirit of cooperation and consultation as provided for in the Constitution in order to enhance synergy and cooperation between the two levels of government for the benefit of all Kenyans.”

The recalled PCs are Njoroge Ndirangu (Nairobi), Samuel Kilel (Coast), Joseph ole Seriani (Western), Claire Omollo (Eastern), Peter Mutie (Nyanza), Ernest Munyi (North Eastern) and Osman Warfa (Rift Valley).

Back to Nairobi

The PCs, whose titles were changed to regional commissioners after the March elections, were ordered back to Nairobi by President Kenyatta after a two-hour meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru and chair of the council of governors on Friday.

In their most recent spat on Thursday, governors threatened to boycott Madaraka Day celebrations over protocol issues, saying they had resolved to keep off the fete after it was establishing that county commissioners would preside over the function on behalf of the President and that their only roles would be to give a vote of thanks.

During a governors meeting in Naivasha, Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga said county commissioners had created problems for them “because they get directives from other authorities”.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who chairs the Council of Governors, said the commissioners were illegal appointees and asked the government to resolve the conflict.

Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia had told Parliament during his vetting that the commissioners would read President Kenyatta’s speech and governors would then speak last.