Economy

Outgoing governors reject transition schedule

nanok

Council of Governors chairman Josphat Nanok. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Council of Governors has dismissed the timelines issued by the Devolution and Planning ministry for swearing-in ceremonies, setting the stage for a showdown in the absence of assumption of office law.

The lobby representing 47 county chiefs said the ministry has overstepped its mandate by ordering them to swear in governor-elects between August 18 and August 24.

“Each county has its own transition committee to oversee the assumption of office of the Governor where ministry is only represented by a member, and therefore has no place in supervising or dictating the swearing in programme,” the CoG chairman Josephat Nanok said in a statement.

“The ministry must recognise that County Governments are independent and have full capacity to run their own affairs.” 

The 11th Parliament failed to pass Assumption of the Office of the Governor Bill fronted by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi.

Had the Bill passed, all the 47 governor-elects would be sworn in on the first Tuesday after 21 days following declaration of results by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Mr Wamatangi had proposed a fine of up to Sh300,000  or imprisonment for one year for any county public officer who contravenes the swearing in law.