Deputy President Rigathi Gahagua has advised deputy governors not to engage in talks concerning their bosses.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gachagua told the DGs that part of their work was to defend their bosses who are governors no matter what.
“You must be the defender of your boss because if your boss is in trouble you are also in trouble…you cover his work all the time,” Gachagua said.
He also urged them to exercise discreetness in matters relating to their bosses.
“Please never discuss your boss with your third parties, not even your wife,” Gachagua said.
The second in command was speaking in Mombasa during the Deputy Governors’ consultative meeting to deliberate on key and emerging issues affecting devolved units.
A deputy governor is the second in command after the governor.
They play a vital role in the management of a county government.
The Constitution does not have clear stipulations about the role and functions of a Deputy Governor in Kenya.
However, the County Governments Act in Section 32 tries to explain the functions of a Deputy Governor.
Section 32 of the County Governments Act states that the deputy governor should deputise for the governor in executing the governor’s functions.
The governor may assign the deputy governor any other responsibility or portfolio as a member of the county executive committee.
Article 179(5) of the Constitution says that when the County Governor is absent, the Deputy County Governor should act as the county governor.
When acting in office, the deputy governor should not exercise certain powers of the governor. He or she cannot nominate, appoint or dismiss anyone.
The governor should also not delegate to the deputy governor any of the functions that relate to hiring and firing (to nominate, appoint or dismiss).
In March 2019, the Supreme Court gave an advisory that the office of the deputy governor ought not to remain vacant until the next general election.
The advisory was that a governor has 14 days to nominate a person to the office after which the county assembly, within 60 days, will vote to either reject or allow the individual to assume office.
