Things fall apart: Why South Rift governors are not sitting pretty

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika during a past function. [File, Standard]

They may have won the hearts and votes of the electorate in their respective counties in the South Rift region. But four UDA governors are not having it any easy as waves of discontent hit their administration.

Governors Erick Mutai (Kericho), Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and their Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika are under siege for failing to fulfill their campaign promises, even as they insist that they are doing their best.

The electorate has been criticising the governors, accusing them of failure to implement their development blueprints, as ward representatives plot to remove them from office.

The ward representatives are going out of their way seeking to hold the county chiefs accountable.

The four governors have, however, remained defiant, saying they are firmly focused on delivering on their mandates, as they fulfil the promises they made to the electorate.

In Kericho County, Governor Mutai is starring at an impeachment as MCA have adopted a motion to remove him from office over alleged abuse of office and violation of the Constitution.

Dr Mutai is expected to appear before the assembly on October 2 to defend himself against the motion filed by Sigowet MCA Kiprotich Rogony.

As the assembly prepares to debate the motion, Mutai is reaching out to the ward representatives asking for forgiveness.

“It is with a heavy heart that I address you today. I was elected a governor by the grace of God. Forgive me if I have wronged you. I own up to my mistakes. Be lenient with me,” Mutai was quoted pleading with the MCAs during a recent public meeting in Ainamoi constituency.

Mutai’s troubles began when a special committee of the assembly concluded an investigation to establish why the county was experiencing significant revenue challenges. 

The county has missed its revenue targets for two consecutive years, primarily due to issues with the automation of revenue collection systems.

This was followed by allegations of misappropriation of resources and illegal tender awards.

Bairingo has also not been a walk in the park for Governor Cheboi since his re-election after a five-year hiatus.

Cheboi has had difficulties calming the storms that have hit his second term in office with impending impeachment motions hanging over his head.

He outsmarted his opponents in the 2022 General Election and weaved his way back to office on a UDA party ticket, but political headwinds are hitting his return.

It has not been smooth sailing for the soft-spoken politician who promised to redeem Baringo’s lost glory as a section of residents pushed him to leave office.

In April, Jacob Kiplagat, a resident, petitioned the Baringo County Assembly to remove Cheboi, claiming the governor had failed to discharge his duties.

In the petition, Kiplagat noted rampant cases of degradation of the procurement and tendering processes of projects in the county.

Baringo County Assembly Clerk Winnie Chemase said the petition was forwarded to the legal team for consideration.

In July, locals took to the streets during the ‘Occupy Kabarnet’ protests and called for the impeachment of the governor.

The residents are also calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, in conjunction with the Assets Recovery Agency, to audit the lifestyles of the Baringo governor, members of the County Executive Committee (CEC), chief officers and all personnel at the Treasury and Procurement departments to recover stolen public monies and assets.

Governor Cheboi, in a social media post, said his attempt to listen to the concerns and grievances of the locals was disrupted.

“I proceeded intending to listen to the concerns and grievances of the people. Unfortunately, a few disruptive individuals made it challenging to have a productive engagement,” he told The Standard.

Nakuru’s Kihika, on her part, is facing a backlash from ward reps most of whom feel that she has been suppressing their oversight role which may have an impact on their re-election.

The war came to the fore last week when the MCAs from the majority party, through the Majority Whip Fadhili Msuri, announced the removal of Alex Langat as the Majority Leader. Some MCAs consider him an ally of the executive.

“ Dr Langat has persistently obstructed the MCAs in carrying out their oversight role. There are significant corruption cases within the executive, including allegations against county secretary Samwel Mwaura,” a letter signed by Msuri to the UDA party read in part.

Thirty-one out of the 55 UDA members signed for Dr Langat’s removal and replacement.

Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja notes that Langat’s shortcomings had exposed the assembly to ridicule for being in bed with the executive as citizens suffer due to inefficiencies.

“This county has been rotten. Our powers as an assembly have been clipped,” said Karanja.

On Wednesday, the MCAs were expected to give a notice on the impeachment but a clash between journalists and security officers at the assembly had the house leadership suspend its sittings.

Ward reps who invited the Press for a briefing on the planned ouster motion had to intervene to have journalists access the assembly though the business was not transacted.

In Bomet County, MCAs have fallen out with Governor Barchok over low delivery of development and services.

The MCAs have accused the executive and Barchok of laxity and misappropriation of funds leading to low development works.

Last month, the MCAs impeached three CECs sending a warning shot to Barchok.

The MCAs accused Road and Transport CEC member Erick Ngetich, Finance and Economic Planning’s Andrew Sigei, and Administration and Public Service’s Joseph Kirui of incompetence and abuse of office.

The MCA unanimously agreed to send the three parking exposing the simmering difference pitting the MCAs and the governor.

Weeks leading to the impeachment, Barchok attempted to extend an olive branch to the assembly through a meeting in Bomet and outside, a move that did not bear any fruits.

As if the impeachment of CECs was not enough, the MCAs have trained their guns on the County Public Service Board members.

- Reports by Kennedy Gachuhi, Julius Chepkwony, and Gilbert Kimutai