Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was among several high-profile leaders booted out in a major reshuffle at the Council of Governors (CoG) on Monday, October 6 a meeting which also witnessed Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi cling to the Chairmanship for a second term.
In what insiders described as a largely smooth, consensus-driven process, Abdullahi held onto the top seat unopposed, with Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga also re-elected as Vice Chair.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki secured a new role as the CoG Whip, replacing Nandi’s Stephen Sang, rounding out the council’s powerful three-member executive team.
But it was the subtle exit of Governor Sakaja from the CoG leadership that raised eyebrows. Previously leading the influential Human Resources, Labour and Welfare Committee, Sakaja was replaced by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
The move points to a shifting dynamics at the Council, where emerging alliances and regional balancing continue to shape leadership roles.
Sakaja, a high-profile figure with political savoir-faire, has not commented publicly on the change of leadership, but sources suggest the changes were amicable and in accordance with the council’s regular rotation.
Meanwhile, several other governors took on new committee responsibilities. Mombasa’s Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir stepped into the role of Health Committee Chair, succeeding Njuki. Governor Sang, though no longer in the executive council, was elected Chair of the Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships Committee, taking over from Kisii’s Simba Arati. Arati moved to head the Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, replacing Baringo’s Benjamin Cheboi.
The other notable changes witnessed Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha taking over the Trade and Cooperatives Committee from Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and Kiambu’s Kimani Wamatangi becoming the Chairperson of the Transport, Infrastructure, and Energy Committee a role previously played by Marsabit’s Mohamud Mohamed Ali.
The CoG elections, traditionally conducted by consensus by the 47 county leaders, are held annually during full Council sessions. The next is set for October 2026.
Governor Abdullahi assumed the chairmanship first in 2024, succeeding Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru. Kahiga and Sang were his Vice Chair and Whip, respectively, then a trio carried from past roles after the 2022 polls when Waiguru led the newly reconstituted governors’ caucus.
Although leadership within the Council is rotational and occurs with frequency, this year’s changes signal a subtle rebalancing one that combines continuity with strategic repositioning among Kenya’s county leaders as they move into the final stretch of their terms.
