Powerless yet popular: Deputies Governors left in the cold

A political storm is quietly brewing in devolved units as a fresh power struggle between Governors and their Deputies takes center stage.
The simmering tensions, now laid bare before the Senate, expose a worrying structural gap in the country’s devolution architecture—Deputy Governors are revered at the grassroots, yet largely redundant in office.
Deputy Governors, under the banner of the Deputy Governors Caucus, are crying foul, accusing their bosses of sidelining them from the very government they were elected to serve. Laikipia Deputy Governor and Caucus Chairperson Reuben Kamuri told the Senate Devolution Committee that an alarming 90% of his colleagues are idle, reduced to ceremonial figures in counties they helped to lead to victory.
“We are in office, but not in power,” said Kamuri. “Our roles are not defined. We have become political ornaments—admired but unused.”
Appearing before the committee chaired by Wajir Senator Sheikh Abbass, Kamuri detailed a worrying trend where Deputy Governors, despite drawing salaries, have not been assigned any formal responsibilities. Even more concerning, many counties allocate zero budget for the Office of the Deputy Governor, effectively crippling their ability to operate.
“The office of the Deputy Governor exists only in theory. We don’t even have funds to run simple administrative tasks,” Kamuri lamented.
The issue is not just about job descriptions—or lack thereof—but also about dignity and democratic accountability. Without clear roles, Deputy Governors say they are unable to fulfill campaign promises or deliver services to constituents.
Senator Abbass acknowledged the severity of the matter.“
It is disheartening that elected leaders with constitutional backing are being left in limbo. We must fix this governance loophole before it festers into a crisis,” he said.
Constitutional lawyer and devolution expert Prof. Peter Mwakisha believes the conflict is a ticking time bomb.
“The Constitution envisioned a partnership, not a hierarchy,” he argued. “The Deputy Governor was never meant to be a spare wheel. But the law is silent on their day-to-day roles, and Governors have taken advantage of that silence.”
Mwakisha suggests a legislative intervention.
“It is time Parliament enacted a statute that outlines the mandate of Deputy Governors beyond succession in case of a vacancy. Otherwise, devolution risks becoming a one-man show.”
Political analyst Rose Mwikali agrees, calling the current structure “a design flaw being exploited for political convenience.”
“What you’re seeing is not just power hoarding; it’s strategic muzzling. Governors don’t want politically ambitious deputies growing a support base within the county,” she said.
That sentiment resonates with several Deputies who spoke to Kurunzi News off the record. One Deputy Governor from a Rift Valley county admitted he had not stepped into his official office since the elections.
“I work from home. My PA is unpaid. I attend funerals and community events, but nothing in government runs through me,” he said.
The Senate committee heard that the fear of political fallout has forced many Deputies into silence.
“Most deputies are just biding time until the end of their terms. Speaking out could lead to public spats or removal through impeachment motions,” Kamuri added.
Ironically, at the grassroots, Deputy Governors continue to enjoy immense popularity.
“Voters still expect us to deliver,” said Homa Bay Deputy Governor Judith Were. “They elected a joint ticket, and they assume we work as a team. But inside government, we are invisible.”
Senator Gloria Mutua of Kitui challenged Governors to embrace collaboration.
“Devolution is about inclusive governance. If we wanted one-man shows, we would not have created 47 mini-governments,” she said. “Deputy Governors are not junior officers—they’re co-leaders.”
But some Governors view the matter differently. A Governor from Coast region, who requested anonymity, defended the status quo.
“Some Deputies come in with political entitlement. If they want roles, they should negotiate for them—like adults. You can’t just sit and wait to be assigned functions,” he said.
Still, even among Governors, there’s growing recognition that the current model is flawed. Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi acknowledged the problem in a recent meeting.
“There is a governance vacuum, and we need clarity. The roles of Deputy Governors must be embedded in law. Right now, it’s left to personal discretion, which creates unnecessary tension,” Abdullahi said.
As pressure mounts, the Senate is expected to push for amendments to the County Governments Act to provide a clear framework for the duties, office management, and funding of Deputy Governors.
But for now, Kenya’s Deputy Governors remain trapped in a paradox—elected by the people, respected in public, but irrelevant in power.
Whether this legal and political ambiguity will be resolved before the next general election remains to be seen. For now, the country watches as this quiet rebellion within county halls gathers momentum—one idle office at a time.