Nyamira Deputy Governor Amos Nyaribo is set to be sworn in as governor within the next 14 days following the death of county chief John Nyagarama.
John Nyagarama succumbed to Covid-19-related complications at The Nairobi Hospital today morning.
Amos Nyaribo, who hails from North Mugirango, has been Nyagarama’s deputy since 2013.
Nyaribo fell out with Nyagarama months after their 2013 victory and did not see each other eye-to-eye until they were forced by political dynamics to work together to win the 2017 polls.
After the re-election, Nyaribo moved to court and sued Nyagarama over an attempt to renege on their 2017 pre-poll pact after some county executives allied to him were fired.
The Constitution states that where a vacancy arises in the office of governor either through death, resignation or impeachment, the deputy governor shall take over for the remainder of the term.
“If a vacancy occurs in the office of county governor, the deputy county governor shall assume office as county governor for the remainder of the term of the county governor,” reads Article 182 (2).
The Constitution does not provide for the period within which the deputy governor must assume office.
However, it is outlined in the County Governments (Amendment) Act, 2017 which stipulates that when a governor’s office falls vacant, the deputy governor will within 14 days take over for the remainder of the term.