Governors vs deputies: Inside the power struggles paralysing Kenya's counties

Several governors and their deputies may have joined public service as an impeccable unit armed with moving manifestos, but that appears to be a thing of the past amid frequent public feuds.

Since the 2022 elections, several governors have been at loggerheads with their deputies, derailing operations in the devolved units, amid perpetual campaigns and dashed residents' expectations.

So bad is the situation that some county chiefs do not see eye-to-eye with their deputies, while others have stifled resources for their deputies, as others also battle for their survival amid impeachment efforts.

While some of the feuds have calmed down in recent months following mediation, several counties are still ticking time bombs as the frosty relationship continues.

The script has plagued Siaya, Kericho, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Meru and Kisii, among others. Analysts believe the forced political marriages brokered by the major political parties to implement pre-election pacts, honour regional balance and tackle sibling rivalries is to blame for the feuds.

In Siaya, where the ODM party teamed up with Governor James Orengo and his deputy William Oduol, is a broken political marriage with very few chances of mending fences.

The duo fell out a few months after the elections and have not been working as a team since then. Instead, intense politics of accusations has dominated the devolved unit even as residents demand better services.

Last week, Oduol pledged unwavering loyalty to Orengo, calling for reconciliation and constitutional order. Earlier, he had accused the governor of sidelining him and not allocating him even fuel to enable him to move around and discharge his duties.

Speaking against the backdrop of the governor’s temporary absence from office, Oduol delivered a measured yet firm statement aimed at dispelling speculation over the power dynamics within the county's top leadership.

While acknowledging differences with the governor, Oduol struck a conciliatory tone, extending “a hand of reconciliation” and urging unity in leadership for the sake of the people. “Leadership is not about personal ambition or rivalry; it is, and must always be, about selfless service,” he said.

But despite his efforts to reconcile with Orengo, it remains to be seen if they will be able to strike a deal. At the county assembly, a section of MCAs claim they do not recognise him after they impeached him last year. The move was, however, overturned by the Senate.

According to East Asembo MCA Gordon Onguru, the deputy governor is not genuine. Yimbo East MCA Francis Otiato claims that they do not recognise Oduol as the deputy governor and cannot allow him to appear before the assembly. "He can come back to work, but he will never appear before the assembly that declared him unfit to hold office," said Otiato. 

In Meru, former Governor Kawira Mwangaza is cooling her heals in the political cold after she was impeached and her deputy Isaac Mutuma replaced her.

By the time Mwangaza's political star was dimmed early this year, her relationship with her deputy was at its lowest moment. She had claimed her deputy was among those who plotted her downfall.

Constitutional lawyer Joshua Nyamori argues that the weak institutional systems is to blame for some of the woes that have hit some counties. "The biggest challenge, however, is weak institutional structures. In many counties, the governor’s word is final, with county executives and assemblies often reduced to rubber-stamping his decisions," said Nyamori.

In Rift Valley, Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, who has fallen out with his deputy Fredrick Kirui, has already petitioned President William Ruto to dissolve the devolved unit as their woes deepen.

This comes amid an attempt by MCAs to impeach him following claims of financial misappropriation in the devolved unit that was raised by Kirui.

Mutai who has accused his deputy of being behind his woes, is expected to appear before the county assembly this week.

In Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and his deputy Philomena Kapkory are grappling with a feud that has caused a rift between them. According to county officials, the deputy governor avoids attending the same functions with the governor and is rarely seen at the county headquarters.

About two weeks ago, Kapkory was among the notable absentees during the official unveiling of the new county headquarters that was constructed at a cost of Sh500 million.

In Kisii and Uasin Gishu County, Governors Simba Arati and Jonathan Bii are seeking to create a bond with their new deputies after the ones they were elected with left office.

Arati replaced Robert Monda who was impeached with Elijah Obebo. Prior to his impeachment, the duo had fallen out.

According to a number of analysts, the woes facing counties are also compounded by delays by the National Treasury to disburse funds in time to counties, complicating service delivery.

Communication consultant Barrack Muluka opines that counties are struggling with bloated staff as a result of governors appointing their own people. "The biggest problem facing counties as we mark another devolution conference, I suspect the national government is not fully releasing funds and is burdened by heavy debt. Another major issue is personnel: governors bring in their own people, adding to already bloated staff numbers, and eventually, most county funds risk being consumed by salaries," he says.

Nyando MP Jared Okello says personal interests of some governors and their deputies contribute to the woes facing the counties. "Another issue is lack of capacity, as governors often appoint loyalists rather than qualified professionals. This undermines efficiency, especially in critical departments like finance," he says.

Additional reporting by Rodgers Otiso, Isaiah Gwengi and Nikko Tanui