They were beneficiaries of the curse of one-term governorships when they ascended to power in the 2022 General Election.
But with about 14 months to the 2027 polls, seven governors are no longer sitting pretty and risk becoming casualties of the same political dynamics.
Since the 2013 polls, voters in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Meru, Taita Taveta, Nyandarua and Isiolo counties have never re-elected their governors. Nairobi, Kiambu and Meru, for instance, have each had four governors following the impeachments of governors Mike Sonko, Ferdinand Waititu and Kawira Mwangaza, respectively.
With major political realignments already unfolding, a host of politicians, including sitting Members of Parliament and former governors, are scheming to benefit from this trend.
Nakuru: Kihika faces growing pressure
In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika recently made an emotional appeal to the electorate to end the pattern, saying it has slowed development in the county.
“Are we going to repeat the cycle over and over? Going ten steps forward, twenty steps backwards?” she posed. “Which angel do you want to bring?” she added in open frustration.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika delivers her speech during the launch of the second phase of Sh500 million trauma centre at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital on November 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Nakuru’s pioneer governor, Kinuthia Mbugua, lost his re-election bid to Lee Kinyanjui in 2017. Mr Kinyanjui, who is now President William Ruto’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, suffered a similar fate in the 2022 race.
Ms Kihika was elected on the strength of a Kikuyu-Kalenjin power-sharing agreement that saw her paired with David Kones on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. But with the fallout between President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Ms Kihika heads into the 2027 race politically exposed.
Initially, the appointment of Mr Kinyanjui to the Cabinet was seen as a lifeline for her second term bid, since both were expected to play for Kenya Kwanza in the 2027 contest.
However, the CS has been sending mixed signals through cryptic messages suggesting he could challenge Ms Kihika in the polls.
Last week, Mr Kinyanjui gave the analogy of an eagle that retreats to rejuvenate after turning 40 and becoming old and weak.
“During the sojourn, many rumours make the rounds. Some say it died, while others say it was eaten. But the eagle remains silent. After the sojourn, the eagle flies back home energised, renewed and focused,” he said.
So far, Senator Tabitha Karanja has emerged as Ms Kihika’s fiercest critic, with indications that she could challenge her at the ballot. It is, however, unclear on which ticket Senator Karanja would run.
“We shall elect someone we trust; a resident of Nakuru County who understands the problems facing the people of Nakuru,” said the senator.
“We will not allow people from outside Nakuru to come and dictate who should be governor, yet every Nakuru resident is making an effort to remove the bad leadership.”
Nairobi: Sakaja under siege
In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja is under pressure to break the jinx of one-term leadership amid sustained political attacks from the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by Mr Gachagua, as well as ODM’s Linda Mwananchi faction, which has fronted Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for the governor’s seat.
Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja when he appeared before the Senate’s County Public Investments Committee at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on July 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Within UDA, Governor Sakaja is also expected to face off with Nairobi’s pioneer governor, Evans Kidero, who has been positioning himself to recapture the seat.
Dr Kidero was defeated by Mr Sonko in the 2017 contest. Mr Sonko, however, did not complete his term after he was impeached by the Nairobi County Assembly in 2020.
Ms Ann Kananu subsequently took over the running of the city and led the county in partnership with Lt-Gen Mohamed Badi of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) until Mr Sakaja was elected in August 2022.
“One term is real. It is the voice of wananchi demanding accountability, dignity and real leadership. From the County Government of Nairobi to the leadership of our nation, Kenyans are tired of promises without results,” said Mr Gakuya.
“Come 2027, we shall rise together to restore the pride, order and glory of Nairobi. Our city belongs to the people, and we will give Nairobians back a capital they can be proud of.”
In a previous interview, Mr Sakaja said the constant replacement of leaders every five years is to blame for stalled projects.
The county boss argued that some counties, including Nairobi, have failed to exploit their full potential since the inception of devolution in 2013 because governors are replaced after every election cycle.
“Nairobi needs a chance to have an administration that runs its full course. I'll give you a county like Bungoma; they vote in Governor Lusaka, he does his work, then they remove him and bring Wangamati to start other projects. Then they remove him and bring back Lusaka to look at his own projects,” said Mr Sakaja.
“In Nairobi, Kidero started his projects, was removed, and Sonko came in and started his projects before NMS came in and started their own. Now I am here trying to finish Kidero’s and Sonko’s projects.”
Kiambu and Meru political shifts
In Kiambu, ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo failed in his 2017 re-election bid after he was defeated by Mr Waititu. Just like in Nairobi, Mr Waititu was impeached by the county assembly in January 2020, paving the way for his deputy, James Nyoro, to take over.
In the 2022 election, Dr Nyoro lost to Kimani Wamatangi.
Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi at Bunge Tower on Monday, February 23, 2026, appearing before the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Senator Moses Kajwang, to respond to audit queries.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Kiambu has since become a hotbed of defiance against President Ruto’s administration. With the populous Mt Kenya region appearing to drift away from Kenya Kwanza, the unfolding political realignment could significantly affect Governor Wamatangi’s re-election bid.
It has been the same case in Meru, where the county’s first governor, Peter Munya, was defeated by Kiraitu Murungi in 2017. In the 2022 polls, Mr Murungi lost to Ms Mwangaza, who was later impeached in March 2025.
Her deputy, Isaac Mutuma, took over and is already facing political pressure from the three former governors, who are scheming to unseat him in the 2027 contest.
Meru Deputy Governor Isaac Mutuma during a press conference on November 9, 2022.
Photo credit: David Muchui | Nation Media Group
The pattern in Nyandarua, Taita Taveta and Isiolo
A similar trend has played out in Nyandarua, where the county’s first governor, Daniel Waithaka, was succeeded by Francis Kimemia in 2017. Mr Kimemia later lost to Dr Kiarie Badilisha in 2022.
Nyandarua County Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
The same scenario unfolded in Taita Taveta, where the county’s first governor, John Mruttu, failed to secure a second term in 2017 after losing to Granton Samboja. In 2022, Mr Samboja lost to Andrew Mwadime.
Taita Taveta County Governor Andrew Mwadime.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
In Isiolo, pioneer governor Godana Doyo’s attempt to secure a second term was thwarted by Mohammed Kuti in 2017.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Investments and Special Funds in Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Mr Kuti, however, did not defend his seat in 2022, citing health reasons, paving the way for Abdi Guyo to become the county’s third governor.
