Gender, clan factor influence choice of deputy governors

Several governor candidates yesterday unveiled their running mates after the Monday deadline set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Many male candidates choose women as their running mates while clan considerations informed the choice of other candidates.

Some of governor’s seeking re-election dropped their current deputies.

While some of the deputies are running for other positions, others were replaced because of political differences with the governor.

Among the deputies seeking other elective seats are those who want to dethrone their bosses.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui dropped his deputy Erick Korir and named Nakuru West parliamentary aspirant Franciscar Kamuren as his running mate.

Kinyanjui broke tradition by naming Kamuren – a woman from the Tugen sub-group of the Kalenjin community – as his number two.

Since the advent of devolution, a member of the populous Kipsigis community has been holding the deputy governor slot in Nakuru.

On the other hand, United Democratic Alliance candidate Susan Kihika appointed David Kones from Kuresoi South, an area dominated by the Kipsigis. 

Current Deputy Governor Korir and the county’s first Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto also come from the same area.

Vetting process

While making the announcement, Kinyanjui said he made the decision after “long consultations with diverse stakeholders” and described Kamuren as an accomplished grassroots mobiliser with a passion for community development.

Kamuren, 47, is a former member of Nakuru County Public Service Board. 

Kihika said Kones was picked after a competitive process that involved 16 candidates.

In Nyandarua, Governor Francis Kimemia picked former Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) regional director Joseph Mungai Mbugua as his running mate. 

This was after Deputy Governor Cecilia Mbuthia stepped down from the position on Monday.

“I have received a letter from Deputy Governor Cecilia Mbuthia requesting me to appoint another running mate while she performs other duties in my second term,” said Kimemia.

But women in the county cried foul that they had missed out key seats. 

Women governor candidates, Woman Rep Faith Gitau (UDA) and former Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki (Jubilee), had dropped out earlier. 

Kimemia’s running mate hails from the populous Kinangop constituency that is a favourite source of running mates for candidates seeking the county’s leadership.

Four of the candidates have picked their running mates from that region. 

Moses Kiarie Badilisha of UDA Kenya has appointed Mwangi Mathara, who has in the past unsuccessfully vied for Kinangop parliamentary seat.

Another candidate, Ndegwa Wahome (Chama cha Kazi), who is the County Speaker, has named Peter Gathimba, another resident of Kinangop. 

In Kiambu County, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has appointed Faith Mwaura, a tea estate entrepreneur, to deputise him.

Kiambu Woman Rep Ann Nyokabi, who was eyeing the governor’s seat, has now teamed up with Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina, alias Wa-Jungle, as his running mate on an independent ticket.

Nyokabi, who is a relative of President Uhuru Kenyatta, joined Wainaina after she lost the Jubilee governor ticket to Governor James Nyoro.

The two are expected to face off with Nyoro, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (Tujibebe Wakenya Party), Senator Kimani Wamatangi (UDA), Kuria (Chama Cha Kazi), Juliet Kimemia (Kanu) and Mwende Gatabaki (Independent).

Nyokabi lauded Wa-Jungle for picking her saying that his development track record was unmatched.

Nyoro has settled June Njambi Waweru, a medical consultant, as his running mate and said his choice was informed by the balance of politics, professional prowess and the experience of his running mate.

He said Waweru, who hails from Ruiru, has a vast experience in the medical sector and has worked with the youth in community service and that together, they will steer Kiambu to greater heights, if he retains the seat.

Kabogo appointed Esther Ndirangu, a graduate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, who was the county’s Education Executive during his tenure as governor between 2013 and 2017.

Kimemia has teamed up with former Gatundu South parliamentary aspirant Julius Chege as her running mate while Gatabaki named David Wanjohi, a political scientist and former Safina Party official.

In Vihiga, former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende named High School teacher Humphrey Kisia his running mate in the contest for the governor seat.

Marende unveiled Kisia at a ceremony attended by Defence Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

Dominant group

Marende said he was confident of wresting the seat from  Governor Wilber Ottichilo.

The clan factor seems to have influenced Marende’s decision. The running mate hails from the dominant Maragoli sub-group while Marende comes from the Banyore clan.

Senator George Khaniri, who is also eyeing the seat on a UDP ticket, has settled on Samson Samoyo from South Maragoli as his running mate.

Khaniri comes from the Tiriki sub-group largely domiciled in Hamisi constituency.

Ottichilo, who is seeking re-election on an ODM ticket, has picked former Member of the Vihiga County Assembly Wilberforce Kitiezo as his running mate, dropping his deputy Patrick Saisi. 

Saisi is also eying the Vihiga governor seat. 

The relationship between the governor and his deputy has been frosty for the better part of the first term.

Kitiezo comes from the Maragoli community where Ottichilo’s rivals Moses Akaranga, Alfred Agoi and Francis Ominde come from.

Ottichilo said he was hopeful his choice for Kitiezo would attract support from Maragoli community.

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi has picked former Hamisi MP Vincent Mmaitsi as his running mate.

— Reports by Noah Cheploen, Oliver Musemi, David Macharia and Enock Amukhale