- Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party won a considerable number of gubernatorial contests in the 2022 General Election
- A year into President William Ruto's administration, county chiefs allied to Azimio have been warming up to the president
- Most of the county bosses have claimed their close working relationship with the president to be development-motivated
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Devolution has been touted as the equaliser that would ensure development is experienced in various parts of the country, political affiliations notwithstanding.
The 2022 General Election saw President William Ruto tip his political nemesis, ODM leader Raila Odinga, to the highest office in the land.
Raila refused to accept the poll results and went to the Supreme Court, which upheld Ruto's victory, much to the chagrin of the former prime minister.
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The veteran politician went ahead to challenge the legitimacy of Ruto's presidency, which put governors elected to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party on a collision path with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Raila has maintained that, unlike the older constitution, devolved units don't have to warm up to the presidency to secure development funds.
A year into Ruto's presidency, governors allied to the ODM leader have hosted him and vowed to work with him to spur development in their counties.
TUKO.co.ke drafted a list of some of the governors below:
1. James Orengo
A close ally of the ODM leader since their days in the fight for second liberation, James Orengo has been maintaining a balance in his relations with the head of state.
During Ruto's development tour of the Nyanza region, he pitched a tent in Raila's Siaya county, where he bonded freely with Orengo.
Most recently, Orengo accompanied the president on his trip to India for a two-day official visit, where they discussed various memorandums of understanding.
The ODM politician said that he represented the LREB to inform the president of the MoUs that the economic block signed with the Indian government ministries and departments.
The MoUs focused on building a solar energy park and an extension of the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba, with an interlinking railway network connecting the 14 LREB counties.
2. Anyang' Nyong'o
Another longtime ally of Raila, the politician was among the first governors to meet the head of state after he skipped Raila’s Kamukunji rally and instead held a State House meeting with President William Ruto.
On Monday, October 9, launched the first locally constructed ship in Kenya and East Africa at large, where he was accompanied by the second-term governor.
Kisumu governor Anyang Nyongo hailed Ruto for endorsing project concepts presented by the LREB delegation during the India trip.
Nyong'o said the India trip would bolster economic ties between the 14 counties within the region and the Indian administration.
He also appreciated the CEO of Procorp Enertech Private Limited, Srinivasa Raju Gannavarapu, for accepting to invest in the counties.
3. Fernandes Barasa
The Kakamega county chief hosted Ruto when he visited the county and hosted a banquet at his luxurious home.
Barasa threw his support behind Ruto, stating that he would support Ruto's leadership as it brings development to the region.
He lauded the head of state for bringing development to his county and the Western region in general.
4. Mutula Kilonzo Jr
The Makueni governor warmed up early to Ruto's leadership, and in March 2023, he set tongues wagging after saying Ruto’s 2027 re-election was almost guaranteed.
In August, when he hosted Ruto, Kilonzo Jr advised the head of state to stamp authority in his presidency.
Speaking at Konza city, Mutula told Ruto that Kenyans were behind him, and he was elected in office to lead.
5. Gladys Wanga
The Homa Bay chief gifted Ruto a bull in January 2023 during his first two-day tour of the Nyanza region.
Wanga presented the president with the gift after he had briefly shared a dance with the Kagan Kochia traditional dancers.
On Wednesday, September 27, Wanga explained why he worked with the president during his visit to the county despite some ODM MPs facing disciplinary action from the party after agreeing to work with the government.
6. George Natembeya
In March this year, the county chief committed to working with Ruto’s government, claiming the county had lagged behind for many years for affiliating themselves with the opposition.
He led a delegation of county leaders to meet with Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, March 15.
The county boss was beyond excited when he received Ruto in Trans Nzoia during the ordination of the Diocese's new Bishop.
Mbadi on Raila being betrayed
In a separate incident, ODM national chairman John Mbadi stated that the party had been plagued with betrayal after every election.
Mbadi challenged those who've rebelled against the party position to brace themselves for a tough battle in the 2027 General Election.
"Baba, I request you, and I beg you, every time we finish elections we face betrayal. Every time we finish an election we face betrayal from people who are supported and assisted by the party. This time round we are not going to forgive anybody. If you are on the other side remain there we face you in the ballot in 2027," he said.
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