Peter Munya big winner as governors defy party loyalties

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga (right) gives a gift to outgoing Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto at Intercontinental Hotel Thursday. [Photo: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: The push by county chiefs for a bold one among them who can take on the Jubilee government worked in favour of outspoken Meru Governor Peter Munya who secured the leadership of the Council of Governors.

Munya was picked as chairman of the CoG for the next year after protracted boardroom deal-making that saw three other candidates prevailed upon to step down for him to avoid a divisive poll and present the governor's forum as a united outfit that is not beholden to partisan political loyalties.

That Munya managed to shrug off the baggage of being named among those under investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission was testament of the faith and confidence his peers have in the outspoken lawyer, who was elected Meru Governor on a Jubilee ticket, rising from the previous Tigania East parliamentary seat.

Munya vowed to stay the course that his predecessor Bomet's Isaac Ruto charted, stepping up the pressure on the Government that governors perceive as reluctant to facilitate devolution.

But governors who spoke to The Standard admitted it was not easy to talk out Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who had been endorsed for the seat by CORD leader Raila Odinga, Salim Mvurya (Kwale) and Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammed (Wajir) from the race.

Indeed the four contestants couldn't agree to a deal on Wednesday night, but the discussions went on Thursday at CHAK conference centre in Westlands, where the governors had retreated for the entire morning.

But when they emerged to head for the luncheon at Intercontinental Hotel, the new line-up had Munya at the helm, Mvurya retaining the vice chairman's post and Marsabit Governor Ukur Yattani being named the whip.

Those interviewed conceded that the desire to ensure the new leadership went to a person who could live up to the sterling and abrasive record set by immediate former chairman of CoG saw Munya triumph, because he has equally faced off with President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee administration.

Majority felt the leadership had to be entrusted with equally vocal governors considering governors have many more fights coming up against the Government, including the push for a referendum to ensure counties receive higher allocations, fight for transfer of functions like management of roads that the national government is holding on and the dispute over Sh38 billion medical equipment project that governors feel is being forced on them by national government without proper consultations among others.

Munya also fit the bill because like Ruto, he is from the Jubilee side, hence his positions is not likely to be dismissed as political scheming by the Opposition, which was feared would have been the case had the position gone to a CORD governor. It is that factor that is viewed to have worked against Oparanya who had received Raila's endorsement.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec were among guests at the luncheon. They hailed the selection and pledged to work closely with the new leadership. Deputy Senate Speaker Kembi Gitura was also present.

Governors who spoke to The Standard, however, downplayed any rifts during the meeting and maintained there will be no fallout from the deal making.

Munya and Mvurya, during their acceptance speeches, applauded the manner they were picked, stressing it was not a departure from the past.

"Everyone has ambition and aspirations. It is not easy to abandon the desire to serve. We are happy it has left us united as a team. We have demonstrated a sense of maturity and shown the country how to do things in a civilised manner," said Governor Ken Lusaka.

Munya and Mvurya wasted no time in setting in motion their plans and vowed to defend devolution at all costs.

"We are going to challenge 24 anti-devolution laws, ensure increased funding and all functions assigned to counties devolved by December. There is no two ways about," said Munya.

Governor Oparanya was elected to the powerful council committee on Finance replacing his Wajir counterpart Mohammed (Resource Mobilisation).

Surprisingly, Mvurya didn't declare interest in the vice chair's seat, which was contested by governors William Kabogo (Kiambu) and Jackson Mandago (Uasin Ngishu), but after intense deliberation, the governors agreed the he should retain it.