I’ll guide you on successor, Malombe tells Kitui locals

Kitui Governor, Julius Malombe, speaking during the launch of MK Nding’o Foundation on Saturday/Musembi Nzengu.

Kitui Governor, Julius Malombe, chats with Yatta/Kwa Vonza ward rep Mark Nding'o at the MCA's Mamole village home during the launching of MK Nding’o Foundation on Saturday/ Musembi Nzengu

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has promised to hand over the county leadership to a competent successor once his term ends.

Malombe has been mulling whether to run again in 2027. The constitution limits the tenure of a governor to two terms of five years each.

“Although it is not clear yet, should it be that I will not be contesting in 2027, just as I have been requested by many people, I will offer guidance on the most suitable successor,” Malombe said.

Having presided over many life-changing projects beneficial to the residents, his plan was to leave Kitui in the hands of a leader to propel the county in the same trajectory, he explained.

Malombe was first elected governor in 2013 but was voted out in 2017, before he romped back to the helm in the 2022 general elections. That means by 2027, he would have served two terms.

However, the county chief said he should not be ruled out of the 2027 gubernatorial contest just yet. 

“I don’t usually discuss the 2027 polls because I have pointed out in the past that there is a lacuna on whether or not governors’ constitutional two terms are consecutive or otherwise.” He added that the constitution leaves the issue open-ended.

“It is not overt whether the two terms are consecutive or not. Those who have so far retired as governors have served two consecutive terms since the 2010 constitution came to force,” he said.

The county chief said only the judiciary can clear the air on whether governors who serve for one term and break before being re-elected are considered to have served two legal terms.

Should the court decision clear the way for him to run again, then he will be available for re-election.

But should the court decision dictate otherwise, the governor said he would point out a rightful successor.

Malombe spoke on Saturday at Mamole village, the home of the Yatta/Kwa Vonza MCA, Mark Nding’o.