'Save us!' Deputy Governors plead with Senate, highlight strained relationships with Governors

In the County Governments Amendments Bill 2024, they are seeking budgetary allocations, the right to attend cabinet meetings, the authority to chair county executive committee meetings, the role of head of disaster management in counties, and oversight responsibilities for service delivery units.

Ruben Kamuri, Deputy Governor of Laikipia and chairperson of the Deputy Governors' caucus, explained that many Deputy Governors have been marginalized by their counterparts in the day-to-day management of counties.

“This issue is about dignifying the office of the Deputy Governor. It’s not about competing with Governors but about ensuring a clear and uniform role for Deputy Governors so that some are not sidelined while others are empowered,” Kamuri stated.

During their appearance before the Senate Devolution Committee, the Deputy Governors requested a legal framework to define their roles and responsibilities.

Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor Gladys Cheserek emphasized the need for reforms, saying, “Less than 10 counties are effectively collaborating with their Governors. We want to formalize the role of Deputy Governor to ensure value for money. Why should a Deputy Governor be paid Ksh.600,000 if their role is limited to reading newspapers? We are not advocating this for our own benefit but for the future of devolution.”

Cheserek criticized the current dynamic between Governors and Deputy Governors, stating, “The relationship between a Governor and Deputy Governor is not like a marriage where feelings and appearances matter. This is a government function, and we must focus on service delivery.”

Several Deputy Governors recounted their frustrations, including lack of communication with their Governors.

Siaya Deputy Governor William Odoul shared his experience, saying, “Even after being reinstated by the Senate last year, I have had no contact with my Governor. I was excluded from cabinet meetings and, when I attempted to attend, I was met with hostility.”

Nandi Deputy Governor Yulita Mitei noted that only five Deputy Governors are serving a second term with their Governors, highlighting the strained relationships between the two offices.

“In some cases, Deputy Governors are not informed about county meetings, and their responsibilities are often reassigned to County First Ladies or County Executive Committee Members. Some Governors view their Deputies as unnecessary,” Mitei said.

The Senate Devolution Committee, led by Mohammed Sheikh Abas, pledged to address the concerns raised by the Deputy Governors in the bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker of the Senate Kathuri Murungi.