Joho, Waiguru May Be Forced to Vie as MPs

Governors Hassan Joho and Anne Waiguru at a past event
Governors Hassan Joho and Anne Waiguru at a past event
File

As Kenyans continue reading the proposals in the Building Bridges Initiative Report, more details have emerged about its impact on the 2022 General Election. 

Some politicians have expressed interest in eyeing a seat in the expanded executive such as Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kirinyaga counterpart Anne Waiguru. 

“For the 2022 politics, I am reviewing the options available but I will be seeking to sit on the bargaining table since I want to contribute to the governance of this country, and I believe I have what it takes to contribute to the service of our people. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Governor Anne Waiguru and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho during a development tour of Kirinyaga County in February 2020
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Governor Anne Waiguru and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho during a development tour of Kirinyaga County in February 2020
File

“We hope that we shall have two leaders deputising the Prime Minister and one Deputy President, totalling five positions, and 30 per cent of these positions must go to women,” the Kirinyaga governor stated during a past interview.

The former Devolution Cabinet Secretary has been vocal about women representation in the top tier governance structure. 

According to the proposals, for Joho and Waiguru to become deputy prime ministers, they must be appointed to the Cabinet. 

“There shall be two Deputy Prime Ministers appointed by the President from among the Cabinet Ministers,” the document reads. 

Moreover, the Cabinet will be appointed from the Members of Parliament begging the question of whether the two governors will submit themselves to battle it out with other parliamentary aspirants. 

BBI envisions that the senior govt officials who are sourced from Parliament will not be paid extra money when appointed as Cabinet Secretaries, Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Ministers. 

Deputy President William Ruto's allies also face the same hurdle. To form alliances with kingpins from different regions, he will have to offer them lucrative positions in the Executive if the BBI proposals pass.

According to lawyers Ahmednasir Abdullahi who also doubles as a political pundit, some of the candidates who have announced their presidential ambitions are likely to form alliances with the two from runners Ruto and Odinga. 

“In 2022 the big boys will slug it out for the presidency. The small boys will fight for deputy president, prime minister and two deputies. We know the usual suspects and pretenders who are salivating for these offices but will cry loud that their target is the presidency.

“So Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Aden Duale, Hassan Joho, Kipchumba Murkomen, Gideon Moi, Peter Kenneth, Anne Waiguru, Justin Muturi, Alfred Mutua, Mutahi Kagwe, Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Moses Wetangula, Ken Lusaka and many others will have to be elected MPs to have a chance as PM and Deputy PMs if BBI becomes a reality,” the lawyer explained.

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi (standing on the left) pictured alongside Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen at Kinoru Stadium at the BBI rally on February 29, 2020.
Meru Senator Mithika Linturi (standing on the left) pictured alongside Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen at Kinoru Stadium at the BBI rally on February 29, 2020.
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