Uneasy calm in the counties after months of leadership squabbles
By People Team, February 2, 2023
First-term governors are not having it easy implementing their development agenda, with some of them fighting hard to remove the hurdles ahead.
What was expected to be a rosy affair for them has turned into frustration, with one governor narrowly surviving an impeachment motion.
Five months since they assumed office, most of them have been embroiled in feuds over the sharing of county jobs, which delayed key appointments, and weathered resistance to change by employees allied to former governors. All these amid huge pending bills, delayed release of cash by the Treasury, bloated workforce and inadequate bursaries.
A split between Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo and his deputy, James Gesami; and between Kericho’s Erick Mutai and deputy Fred Kirui, almost halted county operations. To date, there are rows between Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Senator Richard Onyonka.
It took the intervention of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to resolve a major deadlock in Kericho. Now services and development activities are expected to be rolled out after members of the County Assembly, Speaker and Governor buried the hatchet.
Two weeks ago, the MCAs were divided over leadership positions at the assembly, but they have now resolved to put aside their differences and embark on their legislative mandate.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and Gachagua intervened to put the local legislative house in order, with the elections for leadership positions conducted in the deputy president’s office. Philip Rono was picked as the leader of majority.
Three MCAs had been battling for the position — Paul Chirchir, Vincent Korir and Rono, resulting in a standoff which sucked in Governor Erick Mutai, Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Speaker Patrick Mutai. A section of MCAs accused them of fuelling the differences for political reasons.
Ironed out differences
But after meeting with the DP and top UDA officials in Nairobi, the MCAs and the Speaker announced they had ironed out their differences for the sake of unity, adding that residents need development services.
“We have resolved to put to rest our differences and embrace unity as we forge ahead with our mandate”, said Speaker Mutai at the assembly.
On his part, the leader of majority, Rono, said all was well at the assembly after MCAs agreed to work as a team. He added that residents expect from them good services and development.
Two months ago, the governor and his deputy, Kirui, put aside their differences that had threatened to paralyze the county’s development agenda.