Josphat Nanok to Lose His Position

Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok could lose his position as the Chair of the Council of Governors (CoG) when the new leadership will be elected.

The retreat will be their first since taking office and will officially be opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta this Thursday.

A programme for the Governors and their deputies' retreat in Kwale County indicated that Deputy President William Ruto will unveil new leadership towards the end of the meeting later on Sunday.

The gathering, which will also lay out the county bosses' plans for the next five years, was rescheduled three times following differences between the national government and the devolved units.

[caption caption="Chairman of council of governors Josephat Nanok giving a press statement at the their chambers"][/caption]

According to a report by the Business Daily, Jubilee plans to dislodge Governor Nanok who took over as CoG chairman in April and replace him with Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya.

President Kenyatta had told Jubilee governors during a meeting at State House that Mr Mvurya, who was re-elected after defecting from ODM to the ruling party, was his choice for the seat.

Mr Nanok, who won his second term on an ODM ticket, had indicated he would work with the government after opposition leader Raila Odinga failed to win the Presidency.

He had been elected as the third CoG boss after the term of former Meru Governor Peter Munya ended having succeeded former Bomet boss Isaac Rutto.

Mr Rutto and Mr Munya had clashed with the Jubilee administration at times, accusing it of stifling devolution and denying counties resources.

However, now that the party has control of a majority of the counties, it is seeking to replace Mr Nanok with a "friendlier" Chair.

[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with Kwale governor Salim Mvurya at Kikoneni Trading Centre in the county"][/caption]

Jubilee's pick of Mr Mvurya comes at a time when it is trying to garner more support in the Coast region where it performed dismally despite scooping two Governors posts this year.