Cherargei demands end to deputy governors being treated as mere figureheads
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 1, 2025Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has voiced concern over the treatment of deputy governors, saying many are reduced to ceremonial roles instead of being accorded substantive responsibilities.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Cherargei said that in most counties, deputy governors are treated as “flower girls and boys”, with little to no official duties assigned to them.
He cited the case of his own county, where the deputy governor lacks the respect and recognition of her boss. A
According to the senator, she is sidelined in county affairs and even in succession politics despite her interest in vying for the gubernatorial seat. The governor hasn’t endorsed him.
“Even my own county governor does not respect his deputy governor; she appears more as a flower girl. Even in the succession matrix of the gubernatorial seat in Nandi County, she is running for governor, but the governor has never endorsed her,” Cherargei stated.
Cherargei added that some deputy governors are denied basic entitlements such as vehicles and fuel.
The senator urged county chiefs to emulate the national government, where the president delegates key responsibilities to the deputy president, including chairing intergovernmental committees and cabinet subcommittees.
“They should be assigned responsibilities, even in the case of the deputy president. You remember the executive order that was issued by the president to give powers to the deputy president’s office, including IBEC and other chairing subcommittees of the cabinet,” Cherargei stated.
He argued that governors should exercise their discretionary powers to assign meaningful duties to their deputies, instead of reducing them to ceremonial figures.
Roles of deputy governor
Cherargei stressed that Article 179 of the Constitution recognises the office of the deputy governor as part of the county executive, and therefore, it should not be undermined.
He noted that in instances where a governor is absent or incapacitated, the deputy governor assumes full control of county affairs, which makes it unreasonable to limit them to minor or no responsibilities.
“ if today the governor is travelling outsidethe country for medical treatment or for any assignment, they appoint a deputy governor to assume the entire running of the county
He further cautioned against attempts to curtail the powers of governors in assigning roles, saying they have the discretion to allocate more responsibilities beyond what is outlined by law.” Cherargei stated.