Kiambu Governor, Ferdinand Waititu, who is facing graft charges, was released, on Tuesday, following a High Court ruling.
In the ruling, the embattled governor was locked out of his public office until further notice, to give way for further investigations among two other conditions.
In his absence, his deputy, Dr. James Nyoro, will oversee the running of the county business.
The deputy governor, unknown to many, is a man who indeed wears many hats, both academic and political.
He is an Agricultural Economist from the University of Nairobi and London’s University Wye College.
Nyoro also served as the Country and Policy Advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington.
He was the Executive Director of a Nairobi-based policy think tank, Tegemeo Institute based in Egerton University.
He later served as the Managing Director of the Rockefeller Foundation for African Region based in Nairobi, before venturing into politics.
In 2013, Nyoro began his political journey, unsuccessfully, contesting for the Kiambu governor seat.
He, however, lost the seat to former county boss William Kabogo.
In 2016, Nyoro was appointed as an advisor to the government on matters Agriculture and Policy.
He worked as Senior Advisor to the president in Food Security, Water and Climate Change, where he was attached to the Deputy President's office.
In the run-up to the 2017 polls, Nyoro declared interest to unseat former governor Kabogo. He, however, dropped his bid in support Waititu.
The two have since worked together, despite several disagreements between them, with some going as far as public dress-down sessions.
Article 182 of the constitution discloses instances in which, the office of the Governor may be declared vacant, in this case, a governor being convicted of an offence, punishable by imprisonment for at least twelve months.
In that case the, the deputy county governor shall assume office as county governor for the remainder of the term of the county governor.
