Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki’s election as chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) followed behind-the-scenes negotiations over regional representation, succession and the direction of the council as governors sought a leader who could advance their interests amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The contest between Mr Njuki and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka had exposed divisions among county chiefs over whether the outgoing chairperson’s deputy should automatically take over or whether the influential position should rotate to another region.
Mr Njuki, who had served as deputy to outgoing chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir, was seeking to succeed his boss after the latter completed his two terms.
But governors backing Mr Lusaka argued that the chairmanship had remained in the hands of leaders from the Mount Kenya region for an extended period and that it was time for the position to move elsewhere.
Outgoing Chairperson of the Council of Governors and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi delivers his speech in Nairobi Hotel on October 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
Former and current governors from Mt Kenya who have chaired the council include Peter Munya (Meru-2015 – 2017), Martin Wambora (Embu 2021 – 2022) and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru (2022 – 20240).
Ex-governors Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Josephat Nanok (Turkana) and Isaac Ruto (Bomet) served in 2019 – 2021, 2017 – 2019 and 2013 – 2015 respectively.
The question of who would succeed Mr Abdullahi first emerged during a meeting in Kwale, where the names of Mr Njuki and Mr Lusaka were floated as possible candidates.
Both had expressed interest in the position setting the stage for a political contest that would test the council’s unity.
Those supporting Mr Njuki favoured continuity given his experience in the council’s leadership while the camp backing Mr Lusaka made the case for regional balance.
They pointed to former Kirinyaga Governor Waiguru, former Meru Governor Peter Munya and former Embu Governor Martin Wambora, all of whom had served as CoG chairpersons, arguing that the position had been held by leaders from the Mount Kenya region for too long.
The competing positions came to a head on Monday in Nairobi where at least 31 governors attended the meeting to elect the council’s new leadership.
Both Mr Njuki and Mr Lusaka presented their manifestos before governors and were asked to agree on who should take up the chairmanship in a process that sought to resolve the contest without leaving lasting divisions within the council.
Mr Njuki emerged as chairperson while Mr Lusaka was elected vice chairperson. Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi was re-elected as the council’s whip during the closed-door session.
The outcome placed a leader who had served in the outgoing chairperson’s team at the helm while giving Mr Lusaka a place in the new leadership as the council sought to balance continuity with calls for broader regional representation.
Monday’s discussions also brought into focus the governors’ expectations of their new leadership including the visibility of the council’s activities and the long-standing concerns over governors’ pensions.
The pension issue featured among the concerns governors wanted the incoming team to address, alongside the timely release of funds to counties and the need to strengthen the council’s capacity to engage the national government.
In his inaugural speech, Mr Njuki sought to reassure colleagues that his political affiliation would not compromise his ability to represent the interests of all 47 counties.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki delivers his speech after being elected the new Council of Governors Chairperson in Nairobi Hotel on October 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
“Despite the fact that I’m elected on the ticket of the government of the day, Kenya Kwanza, my commitment would be to the needs of the Council of Governors rather than the party that I’m elected in, both at the Summit and at the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council in Kenya (IBEC),” he said.
“I would like to allay the fears of some of my colleagues who thought that by being close to the government, I would be compromised. That wouldn’t be the case,” he added.
His remarks addressed a key question surrounding his election whether a governor elected on the ruling coalition’s ticket could firmly represent county governments in negotiations with the national administration.
Mr Njuki also pledged to push for the timely release of funds to counties saying President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki supported the devolved system of government.
He acknowledged that the new leadership was taking office at a time of heightened political campaigning but said this would not distract him from his responsibilities.
The incoming team has been tasked with advancing six priority areas including establishing a devolution training institute, strengthening inter-county Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR), fully automating the council’s data, ensuring governors’ pension arrangements are fully operational and pushing for the full transfer of devolved functions to county governments.
Outgoing Chairperson of the Council of Governors and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi (right) hands over the mantle of leadership to the incoming chairperson Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki (centre), as newly elected Chairperson and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka look in Nairobi on October 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
Mr Lusaka accepted the vice chairperson position saying it was a decision informed by the need to preserve unity within the council rather than pursue the top seat at the expense of collective leadership.
“I made a deliberate choice. I chose the unity of our council over personal ambition and the collective good over individual gain. I believe that a united council is far stronger than any individual position,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi who handed over after serving two terms urged the new leadership to approach its responsibilities with seriousness and transparency, particularly in its dealings with development partners.
The council also elected governors to head its sectoral committees. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja will lead the transport and energy committee, while Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru will head agriculture.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa was elected chairperson of the finance and planning committee, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir will lead health and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika will head land and housing.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga will lead human resources and labour, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu will head tourism and wildlife while Kericho Governor Erick Mutai will lead education.
