Why governors prefer consensus

Fear that Jubilee and Cord political rivalry could play out in the upcoming election for the next chairman of the Council of Governors is making consensus the most favourable option of picking the new set of leaders.

A number of governors prefer consensus for fear that an election would be divisive and would give the national government a chance to interfere with the running of the council.

“We know that an election would be the best way of picking the next set of leaders but as governors, we are keen to avoid any process that would divide us. Unity of the council and of governors is paramount,” the council vice-chairman Salim Mvurya, who is among those who eyeing the seat, said.

He said the council is keen to continue operating above party positions.

The council’s boss plays an important role in the country and the national government would likely want to influence who becomes chairman.

The government is opposed to the Pesa Mashinani referendum drive by governors and would thus prefer a chairman who can be “arm-twisted to drop it”.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his Meru counterpart Peter Munya are also eying the coveted seat that falls vacant later this month.

Mr Oparanya says it is the turn of the Opposition to take charge since Mr Ruto is from Jubilee.

“I have decided to publicly declare my interest after widely consulting with my fellow governors and those I represent,” he said.

The post created by the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, to oversee the activities of the country’s 47 governors, has increasingly become influential in matters devolution in the past two years.
Using the post, the outgoing chairman support for the “Pesa Mashinani” campaign, which was pushing for more money to the counties to the dismay of the top Jubilee administration.
Mr Munya, who belongs to Jubilee Alliance, equally says he is the man to beat.

ONLY VOCAL GOVERNOR

As the chairman of the steering committee formed by the council to spearhead the Pesa Mashinani campaign, Mr Munya said he is the only vocal governor remaining in Mt Kenya East after several of his colleagues withdrew their support for the referendum push.

“No individual can defeat devolution. You can delay, sabotage but eventually, a system that is supported by the people is difficult to defeat. Citizens have become its defenders,” he said.

He said his fight to have devolution succeed should not be misconstrued to mean that he is against the Jubilee government, adding that his support for the ruling coalition was unequivocal.
“The council requires effective leadership and if elected, I will serve the council with dedication,” he said.

Mr Oparanya said his candidature is driven by the desire to make devolution work. 

“I will promote a council that respects our multi-party democracy but brings us together under the burner of devolution,” said Mr Oparanya, adding that he will crusade to have roads, forestry and energy devolved. 

“The public’s expectation goes beyond the 14 devolved functions in Schedule 4 of the Constitution requiring that the Council of Governors and the National government take full advantage of the constitutional clause that allows the two levels of government to delegate functions between themselves for efficiency and effectiveness,” said Mr Oparanya.

Mr Mvurya on his part says he has already demonstrated leadership and in picking him, governors will not be engaging in a gamble.

“I have declared my candidature because I have worked with Isaac (Outgoing chairman Isaac Ruto) as his vice and I have been keen to supporting devolution.

With lobbying for the seat in top gear, sources indicate that the ODM leadership is pushing to have Mr Mvurya as the next chairman while Jubilee is comfortable with Mr Oparanya.