Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto lands global counties job

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto speaks during the second Devolution Conference in Kisumu on April 23, 2015. The Governor has said he will not stop criticising the government. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Council of Governors outgoing chairman Isaac Ruto is headed to a global body on devolved governments after leading governors for two non-renewable terms.

Mr Ruto will be the focal person for Africa in the United Nations for sub-regional governments, a body based in Colombia, Latin America, that enhances sharing experiences on running of counties.

The body had representatives in the just-concluded second devolution conference in Kisumu.

From Africa, Nigeria and Ghana are some of the members of the organisation

The chairman was, however, not willing to give details of the appointment.

“I’m sure an announcement will be made at an appropriate time if that happens,” he said.

The association brings together all countries with one form of decentralised government or other.

The position will hand the governor another lifeline. As Council of Governors chair, Mr Ruto robustly took on the national government and particularly Deputy President William Ruto as a champion for devolution.

The position will also help him keep the kind of public presence he needs ahead of the 2017 elections.

At the same time, intense lobbying is going on among governors on who to succeed Mr Ruto.

Meru Governor Peter Munya, his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya and Mr Salim Mvurya of Kwale have thrown their hat in the ring in the quest for the chairman’s position.

CONSENSUS

A number of governors have, however, hinted to the Sunday Nation that the next leader and his deputy are likely to be picked through consensus as elections are seen as divisive. 

Another issue is that the Jubilee administration may want to sponsor a candidate who will not be as critical as Mr Ruto has been.

But even as this happens, Cord is staking a claim to the chairmanship, arguing that because Mr Ruto was from the governing coalition, his successor should come from the opposition.

Both Mr Oparanya and Mr Mvurya are from ODM. In the event that ODM takes the seat, Mr Munya would most likely settle for the position of vice-chairman.

Another key position, although a co-opted one, is that of the whip which is currently held by the Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka who must also relinquish it. Chairmen of the 18 committees will also be elected.

Speaking about the ongoing lobbying, Mr Ruto said he was sure that the next chairman would take the council to the next level.

“We are meeting next month to elect new leaders. Governors will certainly elect somebody who is steadfast on devolution. All governors are determined to see devolution work,” he said, opting not to endorse anyone for the seat.

Mr Ruto said he would not lose his voice on devolution even after leaving the office. “I will still have my voice,” he declared. Mr Munya said “the council requires effective leadership and, if I am elected, I will serve the council with a lot of dedication and help devolution take root just like I have been doing in the past,” he said.

He said counties are underfunded, adding that their fight to have devolution succeed should not be misconstrued to mean they were against the government.