The female governors had reportedly nominated Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her Machakos counterpart Wavinya Ndeti to be considered for the post of Vice Chairperson
Drama ensued on Monday, October 7 after female governors walked out of the Council of Governors (CoG) meeting held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi which saw the election of Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi as the new CoG chairperson.
Viral Tea has learnt that the county bosses stormed out one by one, 10 minutes into the start of the event, with results depicting a male-dominated leadership structure sparking division within the CoG, the female County Chiefs being bypassed in the election.
The female governors had reportedly nominated Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her Machakos counterpart Wavinya Ndeti to be considered for the post of Vice Chairperson, but their pleas were ignored by their male counterparts.
Following this, they stormed out of the venue of voting in protest, just before the results were announced.
Outgoing Council of Governors chairperson, Anne Waiguru with Chief Justice Martha Koome at Safari Park Hotel on October 7, 2024. /ANNE WAIGURU
The events were even surprising given that they took place in the presence of Chief Justice Martha Koome. However, Anne Waiguru, who is the outgoing CoG chair, reportedly stayed put as the move now threatens to cause a division at CoG.
In a statement, Waiguru revealed that she presented her final State of Devolution Address as Chair of the Council of Governors, where “we highlighted the significant progress made by counties in diverse high-impact areas across Kenya.”
“From improvements in healthcare infrastructure and workforce to the remarkable strides in education, agriculture, and SME growth, our counties have continued to empower communities and deliver on the devolution promise. I am also proud to have pioneered the G7 strategy to promote women governors and expand women’s leadership across Kenya,” she stated in her remarks, her last before passing the mantle at CoG.
“As I pass the baton, I congratulate Wajir Governor H.E Ahmed Abdullahi EGH on his election as the new Chair, Nyeri Governor H.E. Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga, EGH as Vice-Chair and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang as Whip. I trust that under your leadership, counties will continue to thrive.”
Waiguru thanked her fellow governors for bestowing upon her the honour of being the first female Chairperson of the Council of Governors for a maximum of two terms.
“Your trust and support have been invaluable. I look forward to seeing the continued progress in our counties as we strengthen devolution together. Asante,” she added.
Governor Abdullahi won the election as Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was elected as his Vice Chairperson. Interestingly, only one woman made the cut in the new leadership, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who was elected the Trade Committee chairperson.
The Council of County Governors (COG) is a non-partisan organization established under Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act (IGRA 2012). It comprises of the Governors of the 47 Counties.
Its main functions are the promotion of visionary leadership, sharing of best practices and offering a collective voice on policy issues, promoting inter-county consultations, encouraging and initiating information sharing on the performance of County Governments about the execution of their functions and collective consultation on matters of interest to County Governments.
Here is the full list of the elected officials at the CoG election:
Chairperson – Ahmed Abdulahi(Wajir)
Vice chairperson – Mutahi Kahiga(Nyeri)
Chief Whip – Stephen Sang'(Nandi)
Health Committee Chairperson – Muthomi Njuki(Tharaka Nithi)
Agriculture Committee Chairperson – Kenneth Lusaka(Bungoma)
Legal Committee Chairperson – Ochilo Ayako(Migori)
Finance Committee Chairperson – Fernandes Barasa(Kakamega)
Environment Committee Chairperson – Wilber Otichilo(Vihiga)
Arid and Semi-Arid Committee Chairperson – Nathif Jamah(Garissa)
Blue Economy Committee Chairperson – Paul Otuoma(Busia)
Education Committee Chairperson – Eric Mutai(Kericho)
Gender Committee Chairperson – Simon Kachapin(West Pokot)
Human Resource Committee Chairperson -Johnson Sakaja(Nairobi)
Information Communication Technology Committee Chairperson – Wesley Rotich(Elgeyo Marakwet)
Lands and Housing Committee Chairperson – Anyang’ Nyong’o(Kisumu)
Resource Mobilization Committee Chairperson – Simba Arati(Kisii)
Security Committee Chairperson – Benjamin Cheboi(Baringo)
Tourism Committee Chairperson- Ntutu Patrick(Narok)
Trade Committee Chairperson – Wavinya Ndeti(Machakos)
Transport Committee Chairperson – Mohammud Ali(Marsabit)
Water Committee Chairperson – Irungu Joshua(Laikipia)
