Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru of Kirinyaga has just been chosen to lead the Council of Governors (CoG) in her new role as chairperson.
On Saturday, September 17, a secret ballot was cast, and Waiguru soundly defeated her opponent, Joseph Ole Lenku of Kajiado.
The majority of the Council of Governors voted in favor of the governor’s election, making him the new leader of the CoG in place of Governor Martin Wambora of Embu.
Waiguru will be deputised by Wajir governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud.
Kenya Kwanza, led by President William Ruto, endorsed Waiguru after she pushed other governors, who she convinced that her experience as Devolution Cabinet Secretary made her the best-suited candidate.
Governor Cecily Mbarire of Embu and Senior Counsel Abdullahi Ahmednassir were among the first government officials to offer their congratulations to Waiguru.
“Congratulations, governor Anne Waiguru on your election as the chair of the Council of Governors (COG).
“We continue to shatter the glass ceiling day by day. Lead us to the next level my sister,” Mbarire congratulated.
Waiguru will be the leader of the Intergovernmental Budget Executive Council, which will be led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Other than representing the other 46 governors, she will also oversee a mechanism for consultation amongst County Governments and facilitating capacity building for Governors.
The ex-CS will also take the lead in reviewing reports from other intergovernmental forums on national and county issues.
The government is committed to supporting the devolved entities, as Gachagua told the governors in Mombasa.
“You can elect your chairman through consensus or any other form you want. I expect us to put our political differences aside and work together. I will work with whoever is elected,” the second in command stated.
William Ruto, the current president, has pledged his support for devolution by expediting the transfer of cash to the counties through his cooperation with the National Treasury.
