This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
Kenya's second-term governors are reportedly seeking to leverage the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to secure their futures after leaving office in 2022.
According to sources privy to the deliberations at a meeting held at the Silver Palms Resort in Kilifi, the governors assessed the options available to them once they finish their terms.
Top on the agenda was how the proposals contained in the BBI report could be used to secure their futures, with many of them concerned that while they cannot seek elective positions in lesser offices, there are also very limited options vertically.
The governors are said to have been keen on a proposal in the BBI report regarding the establishment of national, regional, and county governments, which could create more elective or appointive positions in the next constitutional dispensation.
Under the proposed arrangement, several counties would be lumped together to form a regional government with their own elected 'super governor' who would oversee the running of the counties.
Approximately 20 second-term governors attended the meeting, which was coordinated by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and hosted by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.
The meeting was so discreet that many of the governors did not have the agenda beforehand, with some governors only sending apologies.
When asked about the meeting, Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua told the Saturday Nation that the day-long meeting discussed the 'state of the nation and the gains made by devolution since 2013.'
Mr Oparanya, for his part, said the meeting was unofficial, stating that it was nothing official and that they were just bonding as the New Year begins.
