Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi, was elected as the Chairperson of the Council following a unanimous consensus after the outgoing chair Ann Waiguru concluded her two-year term.
Nyeri Governors Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga took over as Vice Chair, and Stephen Sang, Governor of Nandi County, as the Whip.
While accepting his new role as the COG Chairperson, Governor Abdullahi expressed his gratitude to his fellow governors for their trust and praised the outgoing Chairperson, Anne Waiguru, for her exceptional leadership and significant strides in advocating for county interests.
“Her dedication, vision, and relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark on the Council,” said Abdullahi.
He mentioned that with his new position, he will build a vision focused on unity, collaboration, and inclusivity.
“The Chairperson of the Council of Governors is not just a title, it is a commitment to be the voice of the 47 County Governments, advocating for shared interests and prioritizing the needs of our constituents at the national level,” he proclaimed.
The Chairperson vowed to prioritize critical issues such as advocating for increased funding and timely disbursement of equitable shares to counties, and pushing for the transfer of devolved functions and the establishment of a pension scheme for governors.
Abdullahi also expressed support for the passage of the Intergovernmental Relations which aims to entrench the Council Secretariat in law.
“I will ensure the implementation of the commitments in the COG Strategic Plan 2022-2027 during my tenure,” he vowed.
The Governor also expressed support for the G7 Strategy, focusing on empowering women, marginalized communities, and addressing key areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
Further, Abdullahi underscored the importance of open dialogue and partnership among governors to strengthen service delivery and intergovernmental relations.
“Our strength lies in our unity, and together, we can overcome any obstacles we encounter,” rallied the Governor.
The new chair announced that he will champion a prompt and adequate disbursement of funds to Counties to avoid delayed service delivery.
Abdullahi thanked development partners and civil society organizations for their continued support, expressing optimism about the future of devolution under the new leadership.
“Let us strive for excellence, uphold the values of devolution, and work tirelessly for the benefit of our counties and the people we serve,” he urged.
By Joan Ogolla
