Kirinyaga governor, Anne Waiguru is among the top contenders in the race to be the next Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG).
Reports indicated that the governor, a party member of President-elect William Ruto's United Democratic (UDA) faces stiff competition from Joseph ole Lenku of Kajiado County, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr of Makueni County, and Ken Lusaka of Bungoma County.
Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja, was also said to be eying the post. However, while responding to a poll posted by Kenyans.co.ke online, Sakaja clarified that he was not in the race and would rather devote his time to developing Nairobi County.
"To put the record clear, I am not presenting myself for election as Chair of COG. The task in Nairobi requires 100 per cent dedication and focus," he added in a subsequent statement issued on his social media pages.
Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio La Umoja coalition have 23 governors each. Independent governor Andrew Mwadime from Taita Taveta may be the tiebreaker in the election of the chairperson.
County heads and their deputies are expected to meet on Wednesday, September 14 to Saturday, September 17, to vote on the new CoG chairperson and deputy.
The conference will commence a day after President-elect William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua are sworn-in.
Gachagua will open the conference which will be concluded by his boss Ruto. The theme of the anticipated forum will be “Towards better Governance and outcome-driven service delivery at the Counties”.
Following the forthcoming event, contesting governors and their deputies began lobbying their colleagues to vote for them.
The incoming chairperson will succeed former Embu governor, Martin Wambora, who was elected as the 5th CoG chairperson on June 29, 2021.
Among the perks of the prestigious position are vast power and influence in other counties. Also, the chairperson is entitled to using a helicopter, among other privileges.
In addition, the CoG spokesperson co-chairs the Intergovernmental Budget Executive Council headed by the Deputy President.
Kenya Kwanza hopes to bag the two seats after clinching the speaker seats in the National Assembly and Senate which were won by former Bungoma senator, Moses Wetangula, and former Kilifi governor, Amason Kingi, respectively.
Uasin Gishu woman representative, Gladys Shollei, was also elected as the deputy speaker of the National Assembly.
