Governor Abdullahi Jiir has been officially elected as the Chair of the Council of Governors (COG). The 2-time Wajir Governor, and ODM member, was already serving as the vice chair of the COG.
Abdullahi is succeeding Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru, who has completed her two consecutive terms.
He will be deputised by Nyeri Governor, Mutahi Kahiga.
His election follows a consensus by the opposition coalitions, Kenya Kwanza and Azimio, for a rotational top seat.
The stiff election that was held at Safari Park Hotel, saw Governor Abdullahi face strong opposition from Muthomi Njuki, Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), and Mutahi Kahiga.
Congratulations Ahmed Abdullahi
His party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), congratulated him and wished him well.
“Congratulations HE. FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, the First Governor of Wajir County on your election as Chairman of the COG. As a party, we are proud of you,” ODM said in a statement.
Fun Facts About Abdullahi
- He was elected the first governor of Wajir in 2013 but lost the seat in 2017 before reclaiming it in 2022.
- Before politics, Abdullahi was the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Kenya Industrial Estates Limited (K.I.E).
- The governor has also served as a finance director and group chief officer at, Hass Petroleum.
- He was engaged as an auditor by Deloitte and Touche in Nairobi and New York from 1997 to 2007.
- Jiir has also worked on a secondment with Barclays Bank as a Business-Turn Around Advisor.
- He was awarded The Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (OGH) of Kenya.
- Jiir is also a Fellowship Certified Public Accountant (FCPA), the highest rank in accounting.
- At one time, Abdullahi was ranked the best-performing Governor by the World Bank for transforming the marginalized border county by initiating major infrastructural projects including the construction of the first-ever tarmac road in the area.
Change of Reigns
Abdullahi seeks to build on his previous experience as the COG Vice Chair. His tenure at the pinnacle is expected to be marked by transformation and zeal.
A background in commerce and extensive experience in auditing and finance will also come in handy as he looks to consolidate the counties that are facing budget shortages.
His work seems to have been cut out for him already as his tasks will include the recently rolled out Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) uptake that is expected to provide universal healthcare coverage across the country.
“I am honored to take on this responsibility, and I look forward to working with my fellow governors to continue the transformative work we’ve started,” he said in his acceptance speech.
The Council of Governors (COG) in Kenya is established under Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act (IGRA 2012).
It was formed to foster devolution by enhancing coordination and consultation among the 47 County Governments.
