Governors under siege as deputies plot to send them home

A number of deputy governors are seeking to oust their bosses in the forthcoming General Election, setting the stage for a major political battle for the top seat in the counties.

The move by the deputies may have been informed by constant frustrations due to lack of clearly defined roles, thereby reducing them to “mere flower girls”.

But their announcements have forced the county bosses back to the drawing board to strategise on how to fill the seats ahead of the August 8 polls. 

Their main headache will be how to choose the most ideal running mate, who will help them retain their seats.

In western Kenya for instance, some of the affected counties are Kisii, Migori and Kisumu, where the deputies have accused their bosses of sidelining and reducing them to mere by-standers in the running of their regions’ affairs.

In Kisumu, Governor Jack Ranguma is shopping for a running mate after his deputy Ruth Odinga declared her intention to unseat him.

Ms Odinga has accused the governor of running the county single-handedly, abetting corruption and failing to deliver on his election pledges.

“I have all it takes to lead Kisumu, which lacks good governance and an inclusive government. I am ready to face my competitors seeking the ODM ticket,” said Ms Odinga.

In Kisii County, Governor James Ongwae is also shopping for a new running mate after his deputy Joash Maangi, not only defected to the Jubilee Party from ODM, but also announced his intention to unseat him.

READ: Ruth Odinga to contest Kisumu County governor seat

READ: Split a blessing for Ongwae as Nyagarama fights rivals

Yesterday, Kisumu Residents’ Voice Association chairman Audi Ogada told the Nation that the struggles between governors and their deputies are about resources.

“The governors and their deputies are fighting to control resources in the counties. Residents should, however, ensure they elect leaders on merit,” said Mr Ogada.

AN OUTSIDER
While the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution and the County Governments Act 2012 say governors and their deputies are the chief and deputy executive officers respectively, the county bosses have been enjoying the upper hand in nearly all aspects.

While they cannot fire their deputies, they wield all the other powers.

In Nyandarua, Deputy Governor Waithaka Kirika has also set his sights on the top county seat.

The DG says he vied for the seat in 2013 but lost in the primaries and was later prevailed upon to be Governor Daniel Waithaka’s deputy.

He claims to have lost in the primaries following a mix up in names. The leaders share a name.

The relationship between Mr Kirika and his boss has not been rosy, with the deputy accusing the governor of undermining him and running the county alone.

At some point, the deputy governor went public and threatened to release a dossier indicating how millions of public funds were allegedly lost under his boss’ leadership.

He distanced himself from the alleged failures under Governor Waithaka leadership.

“I have learnt hard political lessons as the deputy governor of Nyandarua. I have always been treated as an outsider in the county administration and that is the reason I must be on the ballot and I will definitely win,” he said. 

The governor has many a time insisted that he has no differences with his deputy, and has already named Mr Gikonyo Gathimba as his running mate. 

In Nyamira, Governor John Nyagarama is equally shopping for a new running mate after his deputy Mr Amos Nyaribo, vowed to unseat him.

In Migori, the mistrust in negotiated democracy between the Luo and Kuria in sharing political seats has placed Governor Zachary Okoth Obado in a dilemma on whether to retain his running mate, Mwita Mahanga, from the Kuria community.

Fear that negotiated democracy may not work in the August elections in the county has made Senator Wilfred Machage to scale down his ambitions, and go for the Kuria West parliamentary seat.

GOOD RELATIONS
Governorship candidates in the county, such as former Energy minister and Rongo MP Ochillo Ayacko and Ms Anne Omodho Anyanga, are also weighing options whether to have their deputies from the Kuria community or not.

In some counties like Homa Bay and Siaya, however, the county bosses are set to retain their deputies come the August elections.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti enjoys a cordial relationship with his deputy, Mr Hamilton Orata, who hails from Ndhiwa.

The duo is still seeking re-election against an onslaught from Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga and businessman Samuel Wakiaga.

“Many deputy governors are at loggerheads with their bosses, but in Homa Bay, we are determined to work together because we were elected to serve and not to fight,” said Mr Orata.

In Tana River County, Deputy Governor Jire Siyat has also announced his intention to dethrone his boss Governor Hussein Dado in the August polls.

The youthful leader has been a thorn in the flesh of Governor Dado’s administration, accusing him of failing to deal with errant senior staff engaging in irregularities.

Based on the 2013 arrangements, where the Orma and Wardei communities ‘shared’ elective seats to lock out the Pokomo community, political pundits fear cracks among the two tribal outfits may give the Pokomo a chance to ascend to power.

In Kilifi, Governor Amason Kingi’s Deputy Kenneth Kamto defected to Jubilee Party from ODM and is set to be MP Gideon Mung’aro’s running mate in his quest to unseat Mr Kingi.

Mr Kamto jumped ship during a public rally at the Dr Kraph grounds in Rabai, last Saturday.

Mr Kamto becomes the second DG from the Orange party to abandon their bosses and the party, after his Mombasa counterpart Hazel Katana fell out with Governor Hassan Joho, accusing his administration of mistreating her.

Mrs Katana has already announced she will run for the region’s senatorial seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.

ALL IS WELL
In Laikipia County, Governor Joshua Irungu broke ranks with his deputy Mr Gitonga Kabugi less than a year after they were elected into office.

Mr Kabugi, who has since declared his intention to challenge his one-time ally in the August polls, has accused his boss of being a ‘lone ranger’ who rarely consulted him before making key decisions.

“Since I was sworn in as the Deputy Governor four years ago, the Governor has been frustrating me by ensuring I am not allocated duties,” he said adding: “He claims that I am a stumbling block to his development agenda, which is clearly not the case.”

“The Governor has also been ignoring my advice on various issues. He has instead surrounded himself with a group of ‘so called advisers’ that have created a wedge between us,” he went on.

However, contacted, Governor Irungu refuted claims of being at loggerheads with his deputy.

“We only have minor differences that usually occur in every family,” said the Governor.

Reports by Barrack Oduor, Silas Apollo, Steve Njugunah and Galgalo Bocha