Speaker Lusaka leads 20-plus senators chasing governor seats

The Senate could be filled with new faces after the general election if the senators eyeing governor seats are victorious..

Speaker Kenneth Lusaka is leading more than 20 senators abandoning the Senate in hopes of occupying governors' mansions.

They are seeking to either unseat the incumbents or succeed those retiring after their second and final terms.

Analysts say the lucrative opportunities, executive authority and trappings of powers that come with  a governor's office are among the motivations for the exodus from the Senate.

The county chiefs control billions of shillings, head the county cabinets and have the power to hire and fire staff. They are considered demigods in their counties.

The Senate seat, on the other hand, is seen as less influential and does not control money like governors who run governments complete with budgets and MPs who control constituency development funds.

"The executive power, influence and control of immense resources at the county level is a high motivation," governance expert Javas Bigambo said.

Twenty-six county chiefs are serving their first terms, while 21 others are running their final laps.

Kenya has 67 senators – 47 elected and 20 nominated by political parties based on their seats in the Senate.

Lusaka is keen to recapture the seat he lost to Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati in the highly contested 2017 election.

He has been combing the expansive county, popularising his candidature.

Among the senators who have declared interests in governors' seats are Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Irungu Kangata (Muranga), James Orengo (Siaya) and Susan Kihika (Nakuru).

Others are Ledama Olekina (Narok), Charles Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Cleophas Malala (Kakamega), George Khaniri (Vihiga), Mithika Linturi (Meru), Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) and Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi).

Also in the race are Mohamed Mahamud (Mandera), Sam Ongeri (Kisii), Fred Outa (Kisumu), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Steward Madzayo (Kilifi), Margaret Kamar (Uasin Gishu) and Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira).

Political risk analyst Charles Munyui observes that in spite of the integral role of the senators in devolution, many Kenyans have not ‘felt’ them, a factor that is propelling them to seek governorships.

“Many Kenyans don't “feel” their senators due to the fact that they have no executive authority and as such are not easily identifiable with physical projects,” he said.

Many Kenyans, Munyui said, have no idea how the Senate works and as  a result, many political careers stall in the Senate.

“To this end, many would prefer the governor position where they are able to implement projects that appeal to their people, thus growing their careers,” he added.

Some senators, however, are driven by the fact that governor seats are an avenue for making quick money.

“Unfortunately, there are also those motivated by the fact that gubernatorial positions are an avenue through which one can get rich quickly, albeit illegally,” Munyui said.

Political observer Mark Bichachi said that senators’ limited oversight mandate and lack of a kitty to manage have made the seat the least attractive.

"Governors are so influential. They have got a budget to control and they can execute a lot of things. Senators on the other hand, have very limited scope. They do not have much work to do,” he said.

But the senators say they are driven purely by the urge to fix the problems that have been perpetuated by the county incumbent bosses.

The lawmakers say that in the course of their oversight, they have identified gaps and loopholes that have hindered effective delivery of services.

“The Senate gives us an opportunity to see how counties work. We see gaps in the management of counties. We see opportunities that most governors fail to harness,” Kangata said.

Kangata, who is seeking to succeed Governor Mwangi Wairia on a UDA party ticket, said that the Senate is a training ground for good county management.

“For example, Murang’a can introduce Guaranteed Return for certain agricultural products to boost farmers’ income. Healthcare can be improved by establishing extra county hospitals in fast urbanising areas,” he said.

“Ward Fund was passed by the Senate but National Assembly refused to pass it. Such important mechanisms need to be established by a senator who has seen these gaps,” Kangata said.

Senator Mutula said they have been unfairly targeted in their push to run for governor.

He said  the senators, being the defenders of the counties, are in the best position to fix the gaps and make devolution a reality.

"We have fought hard for resources . We have fought hard for good governance and accountability. We might as well live up to our pronouncements," he said.

The Senate minority chief whip cited the example of his Makueni county, saying incumbent Governor Kivutha Kibwana has set a precedent is making devolution really serve the people.

"In Makueni, Kibwana has been at the helm without the pomp and opulence associated with the office," he held.

According to Article 96 of the Constitution, the Senate is mandated to represent the counties and serves to protect the interests of the devolved units and their governments.

The Senate also participates in the lawmaking —debating and approving bills concerning counties — and determines the allocation of national revenue among counties.

The House is also mandated to allocate revenue to the national and governments. It participates in the oversight of state officers by considering and determining any resolution to remove the President or Deputy President from office.

In Nairobi, the country’s seat of power, Senator Sakaja has declared interest in unseating Governor Ann Kananu who was recently sworn in after months of court battles.

Former Governor Mike Sonko fought off Kananu’s installation as he disputed his impeachment by the Senate and Nairobi County Assembly.

Sakaja, who is yet to announce the political party whose ticket he will seek, will face stiff opposition from Western MP Tim Wanyonyi and a host of other politicians.

An opinion poll by research firm Tifaon Wednesday indicated that Sakaja is the most popular aspirant for the seat with a 30 per cent rating.

An epic battle will also be witnessed in Kirinyaga where Senator Kibiru will face off with incumbent Governor Anne Waiguru, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and Woman Representative Purity Ngirici.

Kibiru, an independent senator, is yet to announce the vehicle he will us to run for the seat. Waiguru and Ngirici will fight for the UDA ticket in the primaries.

In Kisumu, Senator Outa is seeking to unseat Governor Anyang' Nyong’o.

The two leaders are close allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga and it will be interesting to watch the primaries.

In Kiambu, Wamatangi, wants to remove Governor James Nyoro. They both are close to President Uhuru Kenyatta and are likely to seek the Jubilee party ticket.

The race for the governor seat in Meru will also be followed keenly as Senator Linturi will face off with incumbent Governor Kiraitu Murungi.

Murungi, an experienced politician, recently launched the Empowerment Devolution Party, also called the Bus. He will run on its ticket.

Linturi, on the other hand, is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto and will seek his UDA party ticket in the August 9, 2022, polls.

In Nakuru, Susan Kihika is spoiling for a fight with Governor Lee Kinyanjui, who is serving his first term. She’ll run on the UDA ticket.

Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko, a seasoned politician who gave incumbent Governor Obado a run for his money in 2017, said he will grab any opportunity for a higher position.

“I am ambitious. If  opportunity and probability are favourable, I will go for the governor’s seat or even a higher position,” Ayacko said.

Ayacko ran as an independent candidate in 2017 but lost to ODM’s Obado. He made his way to Parliament following a by-election after the death of Senator Ben Oluoch.

(Edited by V. Graham)