Meru governor Isaac Mutuma has nominated lawyer Linda Gakii Kiome as deputy governor ending heightened speculation and intense lobbying in the county.
Speaking to Nation.Africa by phone, Governor Mutuma, who took office on Monday this week said he will be forwarding the name to the county assembly for approval.
The County Governments (Amendment) Act 2020 requires a governor to nominate a deputy within 14 days of the occurrence of a vacancy to the county assembly for approval.
The county assembly is also required to give its recommendation within 14 days of failure to which the nominee is deemed approved.
“It is true Ms Linda Kiome is my choice for deputy governor. She is a good leader and even vied for the same position in 2022. She is an astute leader with sharp political and administrative acumen,” Governor Mutuma said.
Isaac Mutuma sworn in as new Meru governor
He described her as a respected lawyer and a leader capable of complementing his dream for cohesive leadership in Meru.
“We have been looking for peaceful leadership in Meru. Linda is calm and we promise a prosperous county,” he said.
Ms Kiome, the daughter of Samuel Kiome Rimbere, former councilor and first MCA for Meru’s Municipality ward, came to the limelight in 2022 when she was elected the Law Society of Kenya acting president after the ouster of Nelson Havi.
At the time, she was the LSK Mt Kenya caucus chairperson.
Ms Kiome joined politics in 2022 after former agriculture CS Mithika Linturi picked her as his running mate.
In March 2023, amid a truce between Mr Linturi and the then governor, Ms Mwangaza appointed her as the legal adviser.
However, Ms Kiome and the former governor fell out leading to her firing in April 2024.
Ms Kiome went on to become the County Assembly’s witness at the Senate during the impeachment proceedings in August.
The lawyer accused Ms Mwangaza of gross misconduct for allegedly faking a letter of legal advice on the controversial removal of Meru County Public Service Board Secretary and CEO Virginia Kawira.
The deputy governor nominee has served in various capacities in the current administration including a member of the tribunal formed to probe IEBC commissioners dubbed ‘the Cherera 4
Last year, she was appointed to the ruling party UDA election board and was recently appointed as a member of the IEBC selection panel.
