The race to succeed Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru as the chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) has officially begun, with three candidates now vying for the position. The latest entrant is Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, joining Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, the current Vice Chairperson, and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga in the contest for the influential seat.

Ole Lenku’s candidacy marks his second attempt at the role, having expressed interest in 2022 before stepping aside to allow Waiguru to become the first female chair of the CoG. Waiguru was first elected to the position in 2022 and re-elected by consensus in 2023 to serve a second one-year term.

Announcing his candidacy in Nairobi, Lenku stated, “I have submitted my nomination papers to the CoG secretariat. I am determined to finish what I started two years ago, when I stepped aside to give my sister the opportunity to become the first female chair.”

He explained that the last CoG elections, which were settled by consensus, took place shortly after the general election, requiring cooperation between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions in a post-election climate. “We usually adopt a consensus approach because it is a voluntary role that demands cooperation from all governors. We make decisions as a united body, without heavy political considerations,” Lenku said.

In the 2022 election held in Mombasa, Lenku was the Azimio coalition’s preferred candidate, while Waiguru was supported by the Kenya Kwanza leadership, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. This time, Gachagua is backing Mutahi Kahiga, his ally from Nyeri, with hopes that a Kahiga victory will strengthen their influence over the devolution agenda.

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A win for Kahiga would align him closely with Gachagua, who chairs the influential Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC). Meanwhile, sources within ODM confirm that Lenku has received the endorsement of his party leader, Raila Odinga, to pursue the position.

With the CoG elections slated for October 7, all eyes will be on the outcome, especially in the context of the Broad-Based Government initiative spearheaded by President William Ruto and Raila Odinga.