• “Even if a leader is voted in on a political party that belonged to a pack of dogs, if he is known to be a performer, he will still perform nevertheless,” Ngilu said.
• “Those who have performed should be rewarded accordingly but a political party cannot make a leader any better,” the governor said.
Image: MUSEMBI NZENGU
Shun non-performing candidates and elect leaders who can work to improve lives, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has said.
She said residents should not vote for people just because they are sponsored by the dominant party.
The governor spoke on Saturday at Mathitu village in Kyangwithya East, Kitui Central during the burial of Mary Kanai Musyoka.
Ngilu is seeking re-election in the August 9 polls and is facing a tough challenge from Wiper's Julius Malombe.
Malombe was elected Kitui's first governor in 2013 before he lost to Ngilu in 2017.
Kitui is also the home turf of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and is largely regarded as the party's stronghold.
“What works is not the Wiper party that many cling on. Even if a leader is voted in on a political party that belonged to a pack of dogs, if he is known to be a performer, he will still perform nevertheless,” Ngilu said.
Wiper is the most dominant and popular party in Kitui. However Ngilu said it is time residents considered leadership qualities as opposed to party affiliation during election.
The governor also told MP Benson Makali Mulu, who was present, to stop backing Wiper candidates with poor track record.
Ngilu whose name was last week presented to Azimia-One Kenya Alliance for consideration as a possible running mate for Raila Odinga, said she is still keen on defending her seat.
“On the seat I am contesting; people say that I want to move to national leadership. In whose hands will I leave Kitui county?
"Makali is not seeking the governorship. He is the only one who has potential having been my political student,” she said.
The governor said she beats all other leaders seeking the governorship in this year’s election in track record.
She said comparing what she has attained as a leader with others is tantamount to comparing day and night.
“Ask them to list what they have done against what I have attained. It is like comparing day and night. None of these people seeking to unseat me can match what I have achieved. The difference is overt. They are just engaging in empty rhetoric,” Ngilu said.
She said all leaders who are known to be non-performers should be sent home, notwithstanding the political parties that sponsored them for election.
“Those who have performed should be rewarded accordingly but a political party cannot make a leader any better,” the governor said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)