Kalonzo lashes out at outgoing governors for undermining him
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has lashed out at outgoing governors from Machakos, Kitui and Makueni accusing them of spending their time and county government resources fighting him politically instead of delivering services to the people.
Musyoka who spoke at the swearing-in and inauguration ceremony of new Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti before getting out to witness other similar events in Kajiado, Makueni and Kitui said it was unfortunate that the three governors from counties in Ukambani region wanted to ‘finish him’ politically but now he was stronger than ever before.
“We were being despised by people from other regions because our three governors spent time and resources trying to finish me instead of working for the people but I am now stronger than before,” said Musyoka.
Kalonzo who spoke in the presence of former Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua regretted the new governor was inheriting pending bills in excess of Sh2.8 billion which he observed could derail service delivery to the people.
He cautioned governor Ndeti and her deputy Francis Mwangangi against misappropriating public funds adding public service required personal sacrifices.
“You are a inheriting a debt of over Sh2.8 billion in pending bills which may make it difficult for service delivery if you were to pay all.
“Do not steal anything from the people of Machakos. If devolution is going to work, leaders will have to make sacrifices,” said Musyoka.
Other governors from Ukambani who were sworn-in yesterday include Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), all from the Wiper party.
Governor Ndeti was sworn in by Justice Francis Andayi while her deputy Mwangangi was led in her oath of office by senior magistrate Grace Nzioka before a crowd of people from the eight sub-counties of Machakos.
Outgoing governor Mutua inspected his last guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Police before handing over the instruments of power to Ndeti.
“I promise to work for the people to ensure they had food on their tables and money in their pockets in line with our manifesto,” she said.
She thanked the outgoing governor Mutua for ensuring a seamless transition and promised not to ‘victimize’ anyone in the current county government.
In her maiden speech, Wavinya thanked the electorates for trusting in her leadership and elevating her to the highest county office .
In her first 100 days in office, Wavinya vowed to establish a committee to evaluate and recommend amicable solutions to address a Sh2.6 billion pending bills.
She told the people of Machakos that she would resuscitate the ailing health sector by ensuring adequate supply and stocking hospitals.
Other key priorities in the first 100 days include provision of subsidized agricultural mechanical equipment, review building plans approvals in preparation for eventual digitization, review of business licensing and establish climate change board to spearhead climate action.
She thanked the outgoing Governor for the seamless transition saying that she will complete all the projects initiated by Mutua.
Mutua thanked the people of Machakos for giving him an opportunity to serve them in the lucrative position for a decade.
