Senate seeks views on Bill seeking to provide roles for deputy governors

The Senate has invited the public to share their views on the Bill seeking to define the role of deputy governors and their inclusion in the National and County Government Coordinating Summit.

The Senate Amendment Bill no. 52 of 2024 aims to amend existing laws governing county governments, including providing a definitive role for deputy governors.

In a newspaper notice published today, the Senate opened the process for public participation, allowing citizens to submit their views through written memoranda or attend a public hearing.

The Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is seeking public input before making recommendations on the Bill. 

“The County Government Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Senate Bills No. 52 of 2024) was read a First Time in the Senate on Wednesday, 5th March, 2025 and thereafter stood committed to the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for consideration. The amendments seek to provide a definitive role for a deputy governor, to clarify the responsibilities of a deputy governor, and to foster harmonious relations between governors and deputy governors,” the notice by the Senate Speaker read in part.

Kenyans have two weeks to submit their written memoranda.

Currently, according to the County Governments Act No. 17 of 2012, the deputy governor’s role is simply to deputise the governor in the execution of the governor’s functions.

The Act provides for county governments’ powers, functions and responsibilities to deliver services and for connected purposes.

The Governor may assign the Deputy Governor any other responsibility or portfolio as a member of the county executive committee.

While most governors have allocated their deputies specific dockets to oversee ensuring they offer service to citizens rather that sitting around to await delegated duties, others have sidelined them due to political or operational differences denying them opportunity to serve in any docket and also limiting resources available to them.

Last year, a team of 11 deputy governors appeared before the Devolution Committee to push for legal changes to give them specific functions.

Led by Deputy Governors Caucus chairman Reuben Kamuri, they complained of being denied budgets, facing sabotage, enduring humiliation, being excluded from meetings, and even having goons sent after them.

“We are elected jointly but once we get into office, we can no longer work together despite the role we played,” he said.

Nandi Deputy Governor Yuallita Mitei said some of their roles are assigned to county first ladies or CECs.

“Some governors consider their deputies as unnecessary appendages yet they are both approved by IEBC to run,” he added.