Ongwae promises to investigate why Gusii leaders are ditching ODM
Governor James Ongwae, serving his second and final term is scratching his head over defections of several leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to other parties, five months to the General Election.
The governor noted that he wants to find out why the leaders, majority elected, are ditching the party and joining others, alluding that some fear being subjected to the party’s nominations and want to be given direct party tickets.
“Five months in politics is a long time. I will find out why” Ongwae told journalists at the Agricultural Training Centre ( ATC) during a televised interview on local TV and radio stations.
He told voters to elect a governor who is competent, educated and capable of facing donors in Western countries including USA and Japan to negotiate and seal development deals on behalf of the county.
The governor said the county needs a county head who is respectable regardless of his age, stressing that there are aged and young leaders who can perform if elected governor.
“It is not about age. France is led by a young leader, Emmanuel Macron. Elect a leader who is intelligent, tolerant and calm” the governor explained as he urged the electorate to gauge the aspirants.
Ongwae, who drummed up support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, said he has put structures in place and that the next governor will have easy work to run the county.
He said, given more time, he would have improved health care services, roads and water supply across the county.
“The next governor will be lucky. He will find a ready and operational government. He will only fail in his work” the governor said.
Kisii Senator, Prof. Sam Ongeri, Deputy Governor, Lawyer Joash Maangi have already ditched ODM and joined the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya ( DAP-K) and United Democratic Alliance ( UDA) party respectively.
Nyaribari Masaba Member of Parliament, Ezekiel Machogu, vying for the governor’s seat has picked Maangi, as his Senator and lawyer Migos Ogamba as his running mate.
