Western governors criticised for supporting Ruto

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliff Oparanya accompanied by Azimio legislators from Western addresses media outside EACC headquarters after grilling over corruption allegations on August 23, 2023. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Azimio leaders have criticised Western region governors for their alignment with President William Ruto.

Wycliffe Oparanya, ODM deputy party leader, said the county chiefs were applauding the president as he inaugurated smaller projects in the region during his five-day tour.

"If the president is inaugurating projects that are meant for governors, what will the latter have left to open?" Oparanya said.

The Azimio governors who hosted President Ruto in their counties last week include Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega, Paul Otuoma from Busia, and Wilber Ottichilo of Vihiga.

Opposition leaders, speaking at the burial of Cotu's first chairman, Rajab Mwondi, in Hamisi, Vihiga county, and at the burial of first independence minister John Osogo in Budalang'i, Busia county, described Ruto's regional tour as a public relations stunt aimed at misleading the people of Western politically.

They also accused the governors of failing to serve the interests of the people.

"We have distinct roles stipulated in our constitution. County governments have their budgets, just like the national government. However, when a governor resorts to seeking development assistance from the State House and invites the president to inaugurate projects, it signifies a failure on their part.

"They should step aside and allow a competent individual to lead the county and drive development," said Oparanya.

He said governors have a significant opportunity to positively impact the lives of their constituents under the new system, without the need to request development aid.

"I served as a governor for 10 years, and I was in the opposition, yet I achieved remarkable results. If the president is inaugurating all the projects intended for the counties, what remains for the governor to launch or develop?" he said.

"The constitution has granted governors the authority to plan their development. Our governors must cease deceiving the people. When the president arrives to inaugurate constituency projects and pledges that more projects will follow, but these are not included in the budget, who is deceiving whom?" Oparanya said.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the president was summoned to commission projects such as hospitals and educational institutions intended for county governments.

The senator also added that he had drafted legislation aimed at preventing the national government from interfering with county government projects.

"It will allow for the separation of powers between the county and national governments, housing, county parks, and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are all devolved functions.

"If the national government wants to help it should do so by bringing money through conditional grants and that is what I am pushing in the senate," said Osotsi.