Find formula of how governors and deputies can work amicably

When early last week Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris volunteered to become Governor Mike Sonko’s deputy, many were astounded. Considering the circumstances in which Mr Polycarp Igathe fled the scene barely five months after his “election” as deputy governor, her offer was simply intriguing. It was probably motivated by altruistic reasons, but on the other hand, she probably knows something we don’t about Governor Sonko’s future prospects and she can’t be faulted for wishing to sidle closer to so much power.

What is surprising is that judging from the ignoble role assigned to deputy governors throughout the country, it is a wonder how one can willingly give up the equally important position of MP representing the interests of women in the county.

POPULIST POLITICS

If, as is becoming clear, Mr Sonko does need help running the city government, why are people not falling over themselves trying to grab the chance? It is a clear indicator of how low the job of deputy governor has sunk in people’s estimation.

This is because, being a deputy governor means absolutely nothing, and depends on the goodwill of the man or woman running the county. This is quite unfortunate considering that winning any elective position in Kenya has little to do with competence or even brains. We elect people because of their tribe, party affiliation, or cunning ability to bribe voters with populist politics and dirty hundred-shilling notes.

One of the biggest omissions while making the 2010 Constitution was the failure to give deputy governors specific job descriptions. That has been the trouble all along. The man or woman holding that position works at the pleasure of the governor, and if for any reason they cannot get along, then a clear-cut way for an amicable divorce should be arranged. At the moment, this is not possible. Not even the County Assembly can impeach a deputy governor. That is patently ridiculous.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

A few examples of situations where a governor and his mate could never share the same vision and wound up pulling in opposite directions will suffice. In the early years of devolution, we dismissed these anomalies as teething problems. Why we never acted on them remains a mystery, unless we believe, as some governors obviously do, that their deputies are meant to be seen and not heard.

How else do you explain the Sonko-Igathe saga, or the most recent rupture between Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his deputy, Mr James Nyoro, a highly acclaimed agricultural economist?

Dr Nyoro accuses Governor Waititu of sidelining him when major decisions are made while Mr Waititu accuses his deputy of absenteeism. Of course, without taking sides, Dr Nyoro’s alleged behaviour could be because, as he complains, he has little role to play in Mr Waititu’s government.

Back in the old regime, former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto purported to sack his deputy, Mr Stephen Mutai, for “absconding from duty”, but it did not work. The law was on Mr Mutai’s side.

In Machakos County, Governor Alfred Mutua had a long-running feud with his deputy, Mr Bernard Kiala, but that was because the two belonged to two different political outfits, Mr Kiala being a member of the dominant Wiper Party while Dr Mutua had his own Maendeleo Chap Chap.

PISSING CONTESTS

There have been a few other feuds between governors and their deputies, the most notable being between Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and his erstwhile deputy Gakure Monyo, between former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and his deputy Ruth Odinga, and between Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and his then deputy Hazel Katana. In all cases, the governors won and the deputies were consigned to oblivion.

Sooner or later, deputy governors must either be given substantive roles to play in their counties, or the position should be done away with altogether. An alternative is to change the law and ensure that the deputy governorship becomes an elective office and do away with this running-mate stuff. However, this will inevitably lead to even messier situations because the two, with independent power bases, may choose to engage in pissing contests from the word go.

WASTE RESOURCES

Certainly, the idea that we should continue treating deputy governors like cyphers is unconscionable. Some of them are highly educated and experienced, and they must be allowed to contribute these attributes to the service of the people. The attempt by the Senate to change this state of affairs through an amendment to the County Government Act should be revisited urgently. We really can’t afford to waste valuable human resources in this manner.

Magesha Ngwiri is a consultant editor. [email protected]