Tensions and political hostilities between the Governors and their deputies will be a thing of the past, if a new bill is passed in Parliament.
This is because the County Government Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which has been introduced at the Senate and read for the first time aims to enhance accountability and foster harmonious working relationships within county governments.
The bill seeks to provide for the representation of governors by deputy governors in the meetings of the National and County Government Coordinating Summit.
The Bill sponsored by Senate Deputy Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi is expected to reduce political tensions between Governors and their Deputies by clarifying their respective roles and fostering more harmonious working relationships.
The bill proposes that the deputy governor will undertake the functions of a specified appointed position in the county’s executive committee as may be assigned by the governor.
Role of deputy governors
The proposed law defines the roles of the deputy governors in a way that would make it difficult for governors to ignore their deputies in running the affairs of the counties.
This means that Governors will no longer sideline their deputies in the management and running of their administration.
“This Bill seeks to introduce definitive roles for the deputy governor with a bid to clarify and streamline responsibilities of the office and therefore also foster harmonious relations with the office of the governor in a county,” reads part of the Bill. ccording to the Bill, the County Chiefs will be compelled to appoint the deputy to head an executive docket for the county.
In addition, the deputy governor shall represent the Governor and the county government in various official capacities at the national and county levels of government.
According to the Bill, the deputy Governor shall deputize the Governor in the execution of the Governor’s functions, including the general administration of the county government and overseeing the implementation of county executive committee decisions.
Murungi in his bill also proposes that the deputy governor shall assist the governor in the implementation of the county budget, including monitoring expenditure, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and promoting financial accountability in line with national and county regulations.
“The deputy governor shall, from time to time, appear before the county assembly to respond to questions regarding the implementation of county development projects by the county executive committee,” reads part of the Bill.
Currently, many governors have fallen out with their deputies including James Orengo (Siaya), George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Erick Mutai (Kericho), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Simba Arati (Kisii) and embattled Kawira Mwangaza (Meru).
Last week the High Court upheld the decision of the Senate that impeached Mwangaza from office. This morning her deputy Isaac Mutuma will be sworn in as the Meru Governor.
