•Whether it is retirement, going back for further studies or looking for another job, this is all part of the ‘next move’.
•Out of the 21, there are those who have set their eyes on higher positions.
Whenever one’s tenure of office expires, the most automatic thing to do for most people is think about the next move. Whether it is retirement, going back for further studies or looking for another job, this is all part of the ‘next move’.
For Kenyan politicians, it is hard to believe that one can choose to retire from the political scene because they have served to the end of their tenure of office and in the next few months we will know just how many can pick this route.
The first batch of governors who have served their two terms is set to retire in August next year. They are 21 in number.
Out of the 21, there are those who have set their eyes on higher positions. They include; Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang'a) who have declared their bids for presidency and insist that they must be on the ballot for Kenyans to decide.
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya had also declared their interests in taking over the leadership of the ODM party and using it to vie for presidency but later on dropped their bids in favour of their party leader Raila Odinga.
The two are yet to say which other positions they will be seeking.
Most of these final term governors have been on the campaign trail with their preferred presidential candidates and are seeking to work with them at the national level once elected into office and while this is the case for most, some have already announced that they intend to vie for parliamentary positions.
Some of those who have announced that they will vie for these positions include Uasin Gishu governor, Jackson Mandago who has made it public that he will be seeking the county’s senate sit in the next general election.
The other is Busia governor, Sospeter Ojaamong, who is currently eyeing the Teso South parliamentary seat.
A recent analysis by the Star revealed that Raila commands the support of more governors and senators compared to deputy president William Ruto who has more woman reps on his side.
The ODM leader has the backing of at least 30 governors, 22 senators and 17 woman representatives.
Ruto has the support of 12 governors, 16 senators and 23 woman representatives.
Governors supporting the former PM include; Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Hassan Joho (Mombasa) Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), James Nyoro (Kiambu), Ali Korane (Garissa), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), Martin Wambora (Embu), John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) and Nairobi’s Ann Kananu.
Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Godhana Dhadho (Tana River), Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia), Joseph Lenku (Kajiado), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Fahim Twaha (Lamu), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), Ahmed Muktar (Wajir) and Mohamed Kuti (Isiolo).
James Ongwae (Kisii), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni).
Those supporting the DP are; Samuel Tunai (Narok), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho), Okoth Obado (Migori), Stanley Kiptis (Baringo), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Josphat Nanok (Turkana), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale).
Edited by CM