Deputy governors in dash to take baton from exiting chiefs
By People Reporter, June 30, 2021Wycliff Kipsang @wsang08
Political stakes are high in the North Rift as deputy governors jostle to succeed their bosses who are serving second and last terms.
Governors in the region who are serving their last terms include Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Turkana’s Josphat Nanok.
People Daily has established that deputy governors have been burning the midnight oil at the grassroots to convince the electorate that they have what it takes to take over the leadership mantle.
Most of them are, however, yet to publicly declare their 2022 political plans but have heightened their activities at the grassroots by taking credit for development projects initiated by their bosses.
Staunch supporter
Deputy governors said to be eyeing the coveted seats include Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), Daniel Chemno (Uasin Gishu) and Peter Lotethiro (Turkana).
Contacted for comment yesterday, Rotich was non-committal over his political future but his heightened political activities have indicated otherwise.
Rotich, a staunch supporter of Deputy President William Ruto, has fallen out with his boss Tolgos and has been instrumental in marketing the newly formed United Democratic Alliance party in the North Rift.
He recently hosted the DP where he launched a Sacco scheme for boda boda operators in Iten. Tolgos skipped the event.
Tolgos has been warming up to Kanu Chairman and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and has been one of the major proponents of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
In a past interview with People Daily, Tolgos said he is charging his own political path, citing intimidation by some senior Rift Valley leaders in Jubilee. He was elected on a Jubilee ticket.
He has claimed of a scheme to use the Assembly to frustrate him over his stand on the controversial Arror-Kimwarer dam where more than Sh21 billion was lost.
“I have been vocal in demanding those responsible for the loss of funds be apprehended, which has not gone down well with some people. Nothing is going on in the county.
The Assembly rejects anything I present to them for approval,” said Governor Tolgos.
County boss has not been seeing eye to eye with Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
Murkomen has accused the governor of what he calls poor management of county affairs.
“Do not use me as a scapegoat for failing to deliver on your mandate. Carry your own crisis, “ Murkomen told Tolgos in a rejoinder.
In Uasin Gishu, Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno has also intensified his grassroot activities by accompanying his boss Mandago in launching development projects and attending church functions.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Chemno was sketchy over his 2022 political plans. “Bado najipanga. Options are still open. For now I am discharging my duties as deputy governor,” Chemno said.
Political future
Governor Mandago is yet to declare his political future. It is said he is eyeing senatorial seat currently being held by Prof Margaret Kamar.
Prof Kamar is also said to be eyeing the governorship though is she is yet to declare the same.
“I am still very young to retire. If BBI provides any seat or extension of governors term, why should I go home?” he paused.
Turkana Deputy Governor Lotethiro was not available for comment but his boss Governor Nanok has been among DP’s close allies in Rift Valley and is said to be eyeing an appointive position should Ruto ascend to presidency next year.
Governor Nanok has fallen out with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Nanok recently held a meeting with Rift Valley leaders in Nairobi where they took the DP to task to explain his agenda for the region.
“We know he (Ruto) comes from Rift Valley but he should not assume that he will automatically get our support.
He should clearly spell out his development agenda for the region, “ Nanok said after the Nairobi meeting.