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Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has been elected as the new chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG), taking over from Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who held the position for two terms.

Gover Ahmed Abdullahi, who previously served as the CoG vice chair, secured his new role during an election at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, where Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was elected as his Vice Chairperson.

The election saw participation from all 47 governors, who will lead the council for the next two years while addressing the newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund and other pressing issues.

Abdullahi faced competition from several candidates, including Mutahi Kahiga ( Nyeri Govern) Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) , Joseph Ole Lenku ( Kajiado) and Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja.

Historically, the CoG has seen various leaders, with previous chairpersons including Isaac Ruto (2013-2015), Peter Munya (2015-2017), Josphat Nanok (2017-2019), Wycliffe Oparanya (2019-2021), Martin Wambora (2021-2022), and Ann Waiguru (2022-2024).

A two-term governor of Wajir County, Abdullahi has a strong background in commerce and extensive expertise in auditing and finance.

He holds the title of Fellowship Certified Public Accountant (FCPA), the highest credential in the accounting profession.

Entering politics in 2007, Ahmed Abdullahi first ran for governor in 2013, winning the seat.

During his initial term, he implemented transformative initiatives in healthcare and water resource management, significantly improving living conditions in Wajir.

His efforts have earned him numerous awards, including The Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya, recognizing his dedication to public service and community development.

After losing his seat in 2017 to Jubilee’s Mohamed Abdi Mohamud, Ahmed Abdullahi made a comeback in the 2022 elections. In that race, he was closely followed by Jubilee Party’s Hassan Mohammed Adan and former deputy governor Ahmed Ali Mukhtar, who briefly assumed the governorship after Abdi’s impeachment.

In a significant legal victory, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging Ahmed Abdullahi’s election as governor in May 2023.

The petition, filed by Hassan Mohammed Adan, was previously rejected by the Court of Appeal for procedural violations, reaffirming Abdullahi’s position as the legitimate governor.