Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto will today face off yet again at the Council of Governors’ (CoG) elections.
The county bosses will go to the ballot, as they do annually, to elect members to the Executive Committee, as is required by Sections 19 (2) and (3) of the Intergovernmental Relations Act (IGRA) 2012.
In previous elections since the advent of devolution, governors united to elect its leadership by consensus. This time, however, with the clock quickly ticking towards the August Elections, county chiefs are divided right in the middle with one faction supporting Odinga and the other backing Ruto.
Raila’s brigade is behind the incumbent Embu governor Martin Wambora and his Kisii counterpart James Ongwae who currently deputizes him.
The Ruto camp, on the other hand, is supporting the election of outgoing Eldoret governor Jackson Mandago, with Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki as his deputy.
The showdown between Odinga and Ruto comes days after the ODM leader had his way in Parliament, as MP’s allied to the handshake passed the Political Parties Amendment Bill, 2021.
The Bill was also endorsed by the Senate on Wednesday 26, and is now awaiting President Uhuru Kenyatta's assent before it becomes law.
Raila's presidential bid further received a major boost following the backing of 30 governors this month, among them Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Anne Kananu (Nairobi), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Wycilffe Opranya (Kakamega), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), James Nyoro (Kiambu), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), and Hassan Joho (Mombasa), among others.
With the elections six months away, governors who have declared their support for Ruto include Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Stanley Kiptis (Baringo) and Josephat Nanok (Turkana).
Wambora took over from Kakamega's Wycliffe Oparanya, with former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto having been the pioneer Council Chair in 2013.
The council is established under Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act (IGRA 2012).
It is mandated with providing a mechanism for consultation amongst County Governments, sharing information on performance of the counties in execution of their functions, and facilitating capacity building for Governors, amongst other functions.
