By Betty Luke
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo might have an arduous task in serving the electorates due to lack of majority MCAs in the County Assembly that is crucial in among others oversight and passing of government’s agenda.
Mr Guyo, who is the only Jubilee Governor and Kenya’s first MCA to rise to become a county boss, was dealt huge blow by the recent decision by United Democratic Movement leader Ali Roba to decamp to President elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.
UDM party which has four MCAs: Jillo Abdinur (Kinna), Meja Abdullahi Golicha (Chari), Abdi Godana Abubakar (Sericho) and Garbatulla Abdirashid Diba boasts of having the majority in the Isiolo Assembly.
The Kenya Kwanza team also has two United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and The Service Party seats occupied by Nicholas Lorot (Burat), Peter Losu (Ngaremara) and Bulapesa’s David Nyoro Waithaka totaling to seven out of the 10 elective seats.
Had UDM remained in Azimio la Umoja, Mr Guyo would have boasted of having the majority but now remains with only three MCAs: Salesio Kiambi (Wabera) of Narc Kenya and KANU’s Oldonyiro’s David Lemantile and Halima Abgudo of Cherab.
The numbers will play out during the picking of County Assembly Speaker with Kenya Kwanza already having an upper hand of 7 versus 3.
Sources intimated to The Press Point that top Kenya Kwanza officials are keen on clinching the Speaker seat and hope to ride on their promising numbers to clinch the powerful post.
UDM will have majority of the Nominated MCA seats (most likely 3), UDA (one) and Narc and KANU could each get one seat totaling to six.
Reports indicate that one of the former MPs allied to Kenya Kwanza is being touted to take over from outgoing Speaker Hussein Roba in efforts to ensure Hustler agenda is implemented.
“Behind the scenes lobbying are underway and the top leaders are interested in clinching the seat. One of the former MPs is among the favorites for the seat in the UDA camp,” the source intimated.
While a number of the MCAs the Press Point spoke to said they had not been approached, few of them admitted to being lured to support some particular candidates.
“I have been approached by people from the rival camp seeking to have me join them so that they tilt the numbers in favour of their candidate,” one of the first term MCAs said.
Others in the race include Mohammed Roba who sources say is Mr Guyo’s favorite.
The Azimio team, analysts say, only have the option of swaying all the Nominated MCAs in rival’s camp to their side which will force an 9-7 advantage
“There is also a possibility of some of the Kenya Kwanza MCAs shifting allegiance but the Azimio team must do its best to clinch the Speaker seat which I think its Dr Ruto’s camp to lose,” Political analyst Christopher Nzila says.
It is however a do or die for the new sheriff as allowing the opposing side to have their way would derail his development agenda and reduce him to be a less powerful Governor.
