The bets were on Sirima to take over the hot seat

Media polls, analysts and those privy to the selection procedures had bet that Dr Sirima would be the next Central Bank of Kenya governor.
But the man, who has been deputy governor since October 2011, narrowly missed getting the job on Wednesday.

He seems to have suffered from the same curse as his predecessors who never went on to replace the boss.

In 2007, CBK Deputy Governor Jacinta Mwatela had hoped to replace Dr Andrew Mullei but President Mwai Kibaki appointed Prof Njuguna Ndung’u instead.

Ms Mwatela later turned down an appointment as permanent secretary, Development of Northern Kenya ministry, saying her transfer from the Central Bank was unfair.

Dr Sirima had applied to be the next governor but ended up with the same role he holds, awaiting Parliament’s nod.

Those who swore by his likelihood to be the next CBK chief cited his almost 30 years experience at the institution and his track record since he became deputy at a time the local currency was at its lowest against the dollar.