Kenya Kwanza administration seeks to extend its dominance by capturing key positions that would steer its development agenda for the next five years.
In the latest bid, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has positioned herself to become the next Council of Governors (COG) chairperson taking over from former Embu county boss Martin Wambora.
Waiguru, who is battling the same seat with Kajiado governor Ole Lenku, is using an open campaign policy to capture the seat.
On Friday, September 16, Waiguru openly lobbied governors allied with Azimio la Umoja to support her.
"I do not want to be the proverbial man who walks around with a beautiful lady but never proposes to her and becomes mad when she is taken by another man he starts to feel bad. I declare my interest in the CoG chair," Waiguru stated during a tea break at the governors' induction in Mombasa.
Waiguru is banking on her experience as Devolution Cabinet secretary and her first term experience as Kirinyaga county boss to boost her suitability.
To convince the other governors, Waiguru added that her experience as COG vice chairperson proved that she was the right candidate for the job.
On the other hand, Lenku was also reported to be swaying governors to his side in a bid to outdo Waiguru.
"This is not about a political coalition. We have been rotating the seat but we want a chair who will take us to the next level," Lenku stated.
Governors who convened for the induction section in Mombasa agreed to select their new leader through a secret ballot.
Already, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed the government's interest in working with whichever candidate elected to spearhead the devolution agenda.
"You can elect your chairman through consensus or any other form you want. I expect us to put our political differences aside and work together. I will work with whoever is elected," Gachagua stated.
President William Ruto, during campaigns, vowed to support devolution by overseeing ensuring the timely delivery of funds to the devolved units.
