Speaking to Capital FM News Monday, Murkomen said the Bill once adopted by Parliament will give Governors powers to appoint their deputies should a vacancy arise in their offices/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 15 – Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen has said he will introduce a Bill in the Senate to enable a Governor appoint a deputy should the seat become vacant for any reason, including resignations.
Speaking to Capital FM News Monday, Murkomen said the Bill once adopted by Parliament will give Governors powers to appoint their deputies should a vacancy arise in their offices.
“There is a gap in the law and the constitution itself and so what the Bill intends to achieve is to fill that gap. The Bill will ensure that Governors get to appoint their deputies and send their names to their respective County Assemblies within 14 days for approval,” said Murkomen.
The lawmakers are currently on recess and they are expected to resume their sittings next month on 13.
The Elgeyo Marakwet lawmaker’s proposal follows the resignation of Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe which raised questions on filling the seat.
Igathe who resigned last week Friday said that he had failed to earn the trust of his boss Governor Mike Sonko to enable him run county operations effectively.
“I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the Governor to enable me to drive Admin & Management of the county. Without fear, favour or ill will I step down to avoid abusing or betraying my oath of office to Kenyans, Nairobians and my family. Thank you for the encouraging support given to me so far,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.
Nyeri County also faces the same dilemma with Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who took over office after the sudden demise of former Governor Wahome Gakuru running county business without a deputy.
As currently constituted the Constitution and the County Governments Act do not stipulate ways on how a vacancy in the office of the Deputy Governor can be filled.
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