Over half of the first crop of county governors elected in the 2013 general elections have either lost or are on the verge of losing their jobs after the elections held on Tuesday.
The County chiefs have been on the receiving end, fighting allegations of nepotism in staff hiring, overseeing massive corruption and wastage of public funds.
Preliminary results from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continue to indicate that 24 governors will be sent packing, with a new crop of county bosses taking over.
In Nairobi County, Evans Kidero of trailing Senator Mike Sonko, who appears to have won the seat. Jack Ranguma of Kisumu has been edged out by Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, while Isaac Ruto has recieved an embarassing defeat in the hands of former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso of Jubilee.
In Bungoma, Governor Kenneth Lusaka has been floored by Wycliffe Wangamati of Ford Kenya, while Meru’s Peter Munya is losing to Jubilee’s Senator Kiraitu Murungi.
In Nyeri, Samuel Wamathai who took over after the demise of the combative Nderitu Gachagua lost to former Vision 2030 director Wahome Gakuru of Jubilee.
Other presumed losers include Joseph Ndathi losing to former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru as Kirinyaga governor.
Isiolo’s Godana Doyo has been trounced by former Livestock minister Mohamed Kuti, while Moses Akaranga of Vihiga has been beaten by ODM’s Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo by a wide margin. A similar fate has befallen Dr Julius Malombe in Kitui, who has been defeated by former Lands CS Charity Ngilu.
Nyandarua’s Daniel Waithaka and Joshua Irungu of Laikipia have been defeated by rivals Francis Kimemia and Nderitu Muriithi respectively.
In the Coast, Issa Timamy of Lamu, Tana River’s Hussein Dado and Taita/Taveta’s John Mruttu have lost.
Marsabit’s Ukur Yattani has suffered defeat in the hands of Jubilee Party’s Mohamud Mohamed as Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi was trounced by Mohamed Abdi Mahamud.
Garissa’s Jama Nathif has lost to Jubilee’s Ali Bunow Korane while Kajiado’s David Nkedienye has surrendered to former Interior secretary Joseph ole Lenku of Jubilee.
