When devolution was introduced in 2013, they were among the first leaders entrusted with running county governments and implementing development projects.
But after serving one term, voters kicked them out of office in the 2017 General Election. They have been in the political cold since then, despite subsequent attempts in 2017 and 2022.
With the 2027 polls barely 13 months away, some of the 11 governors who were first elected in 2013 are out in yet another attempt for a second term.
Former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado.
The pioneer governors include Cleophas Lagat (Nandi), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Isaac Rutto (Bomet), Godana Doyo (Isiolo), Peter Munya (Meru), Daniel Waithaka (Nyandarua), William Kabogo (Kiambu), Hussein Dado (Tana River), John Mruttu (Taita Taveta) and Kinuthia Mbugua (Nakuru).
Former Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Those who have declared interest to run again are already facing stiff competition from a new generation of political contenders, while others have opted to pursue Senate seats as a pathway back into elective leadership.
Former Kisumu Governor Jack Nyanungo Ranguma.
Former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma is currently battling stiff opposition from a battery of aspirants, notably Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron, Senator Tom Ojienda, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor and former MP Ken Obura, in his bid to make a comeback.
“Give me and Nyar Kamami (Ruth Odinga) another chance to continue with our development agenda we started in Kisumu. Before he died, Raila Odinga had told me he wanted me back as a governor,” said Mr Ranguma. Ms Ruth served as her deputy then.
Mr Ruto, who served as Bomet governor from 2013 to 2017, has already announced plans to reclaim the seat in 2027.
The tenure of the current governor, Prof Hillary Barchok, is coming to an end after he assumed office following the death of Governor Joyce Laboso on July 29, 2019.
Judicial Service Commission vice-chairperson Isaac Ruto.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Ruto previously served as chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG). He lost the 2017 gubernatorial race to Ms Laboso while contesting on a Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) ticket, whereas Laboso ran under Jubilee.
Currently serving as Vice-Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Mr Rutto has increasingly associated himself with the ruling UDA party, prompting some critics to demand that he resign from the commission if he intends to fully re-enter active politics.
The former governor has been traversing Bomet County, attending public fundraising events and urging residents to register as voters so they can elect him to complete projects he initiated during his first term.
“We need to register as voters so that in 2027 we elect leaders who will take the county forward and also hand President William Ruto a second term. I’m back because I want us to finish the journey we started in 2013,” said Mr Ruto, who has teamed up with Mr Barchok to steer his campaign in 2027. Mr Barchok is eyeing the senate seat currently being held by Hillary Sigei.
Former Nandi County Governor Cleophas Lagat
In Nandi County, Cleophas Lagat is positioning himself for a comeback as Governor Stephen Sang’s second and final term draws to a close in 2027.
Mr Sang, 41, defeated Lagat in the Jubilee Party primaries in 2017, effectively ending the former governor’s re-election bid before the general election.
The governor has already declared his intention to contest the Aldai parliamentary seat, currently held by Marianne Keitany of UDA.
As one of President Ruto’s political strongholds, Nandi remains a county where securing the UDA ticket is often considered a major advantage in any electoral contest.
Some residents have been urging Mr Lagat to return, arguing that his administration delivered better results than the current one.
Meanwhile, Governor Sang and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei have been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over the management of devolved funds and the implementation of development projects in the county.
Former Nairobi governor Dr. Evans Kidero.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Mike Sonko in 2017 before shifting his political base to Homa Bay County.
In the 2022 General Election, Dr Kidero contested the Homa Bay governorship as an independent candidate, garnering 152,182 votes against Governor Gladys Wanga’s 244,059 votes.
In February this year, Mr Kidero announced that he would seek the Nairobi governorship again in 2027, dismissing speculation that he was eyeing the Westlands parliamentary seat.
Should he run, he is likely to face Governor Johnson Sakaja in the UDA nomination race, although the party is currently engaged in a political cooperation arrangement with ODM.
Other leaders who have expressed interest in the Nairobi governorship include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya.
Former Meru Governor Peter Munya.
Photo credit: Courtesy | PSCU
In Meru County, former governor Peter Munya has declared that he will be on the ballot in 2027, expressing regret over withdrawing from the 2022 race in favour of veteran politician Kiraitu Murungi, who ultimately lost to Kawira Mwangaza.
“In the last General Election, we were misled into abandoning our ambition, but in 2027, I will be on the ballot. Meru residents will no longer hand out their votes indiscriminately, but they will support leaders who are committed to development and genuinely care about their welfare,” said Mr Munya, who leads the PNU party.
A prominent opposition figure, Mr Munya, has increasingly aligned himself with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential ambitions.
He is expected to face former Governor Kawira Mwangaza, who was impeached by the county assembly last year.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has also declared his interest in the seat, while Kiraitu Murungi has ruled himself out of the 2027 race.
Former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Sources close to former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu indicate that he is considering a bid for the county’s Senate seat in 2027.
In Tana River, Hussein Dado has quietly intensified his grassroots campaign and recently received the endorsement of community elders to seek a return to the governorship.
Mr Dado lost to ODM’s Dhadho Godhana in both the 2017 and 2022 elections. Mr Godhana has since announced plans to challenge Senator Danson Mungatana for the Senate seat in 2027.
“I want to assure the people of Tana River that I will seek votes from all communities without discrimination. Give me the opportunity to serve, and I will focus on creating jobs for young people and addressing insecurity in our county,” Mr Dado said after being endorsed by Bangale community leaders.
Former governors Godana Doyo (Isiolo), Kinuthia Mbugua and Daniel Waithaka (Nyandarua) have maintained a relatively low political profile and have not been actively involved in public campaigns.
Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Mr Doyo was defeated by former Cabinet minister Mohamed Kuti in 2017, while Mr Waithaka lost to Francis Kimemia in the same election.
On the other hand, Mr Mbugua lost in 2017 to current Transport Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui of Jubilee while he vied as an independent candidate.
Former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Many political observers are also watching closely to see whether Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo will make another bid for the Kiambu governorship after losing to Ferdinand Waititu in 2017.
Cabinet Secretary nominee for ICT Ministry William Kabogo in Parliament for vetting on January 14, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
