Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya in with president  Uhuru Kenyatta in a past event. He is tipped to take over from Nanok as the Council of Governors (COG) chairperson. [Photo/nation.co.ke]

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Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya is tipped to replace his Turkana counterpart Governor Josphant Nanok as Council of Governors (COG) chairperson.

The governors and their deputies are currently on a three-day induction in Kwale County and will elect their next chairperson on Friday.

Sources note that governor Mvurya’s name to chair the council was fronted by President Uhuru Kenyatta who has urged governors to ensure he (Mvurya) is elected.

The Kwale governor, who ditched ODM and joined Jubilee Party in 2015 and won re-election for a second term in the August 8 polls is considered as Uhuru’s favorite.

Mvurya, a former close ally, and confidant of NASA leader Raila Odinga is said to have developed a good rapport with president Kenyatta for the few years he has been in Jubilee after dumping the opposition.

Jubilee’s push to have Mvurya chair the Council of Governors is also seen as a reward for his immense contribution and campaign for Uhuru’s re-election at the Coast a region that is considered an opposition stronghold.

The Jubilee governor put up spirited campaigns for Jubilee in the run-up to the August 8 general election and the October 26 repeat poll that saw Uhuru re-elected the president.

Jubilee is also fronting to have Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru deputize Mvurya at the Council of governors helm.

If elected, Mvurya will be the third governor to chair the council after Nanok and former Meru governor Peter Munya.

Nanok, an ODM governor who is seen as friendly to Uhuru’s administration is the current COG chairperson.

Governors and their deputies are currently in Diani for induction that was opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday.

The governor’s induction will be closed by Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday.