Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu has nominated former councillor Paul Mutunga Mutungi to deputise her.
The vacancy arose after she was sworn in on Tuesday as the third Nairobi governor and first woman to hold the position.
In a letter, the governor informed county assembly speaker Benson Mutura on the nomination.
While picking Mutunga, Kananu said she considered his leadership qualities and competence, among other issues.
“In considering this nomination, I have taken into account his professional qualifications, leadership qualities, gender balance and competences necessary for the Deputy Governor’s seat,” she said.
Mutunga is no visitor at City Hall. He has been serving as the county chief of staff for the past nine months.
In 2017, he was Embakasi South MP aspirant under Jubilee Party but lost to ODM's Julius Mawathe.
Before devolution in 2013, Mutunga was the longest serving chairman of the Finance, Budget and Appropriation Committee.
He went on record as having initiated the budget reading by the chairperson of the budget committee countrywide highlighting achievements in the past year.
The former councillor is said to have been on the forefront and negotiated then City Council of Nairobi out of a stalemate between PNU and ODM when there was a tie of votes for the mayoral seat .
He also played a key part in securing Geoffrey Majiwa’s first win as mayor in 2009.
This was a time he tied votes with PNU candidate Njoroge Chege, with each getting 42 votes.
Together with former mayor and current Makadara MP George Aladwa, Mutunga struck the power sharing deal that led to Majiwa’s swearing-in.
Later, Mutunga contested for the mayoral seat but was defeated by the current Baba Dogo councillor Majiwa who was defending his seat.
Majiwa, who is the current deputy speaker, garnered 48 votes while Mutunga, who was his challenger, got 46.
In March 2010, Mutunga used a coffin and led demonstrations pushing for the resignation of the then mayor Majiwa.
Following the new development, it is likely speaker Mutura will table the name in the assembly tomorrow and commit it to the appointment committee.
The 10-member select committee on appointments team is led by the speaker as its chairperson and majority leader as the vice chairperson.
The county assembly clerk will then, through a notice published in the local dailies, communicate the vetting date and time of the Deputy Governor nominee.
After vetting, the appointment committee will then table a report in chambers for the house to either adopt or reject.
(edited by Amol Awuor)