Governor Ayacko ready to meet Migori MPs to end differences

Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko has expressed commitment to meet county legislators to ease simmering tension and iron out emerging differences.

Ayacko said he was ready to meet Migori’s eight legislators as early as next week to chart unity and cohesion on how to work together.

Ayacko has faced an open war of words between him and several legislators, with most skipping his social and development functions over accusations of him undermining them.

But on Saturday, the Governor vowed to forget the past and work with the MPs in pushing the development agenda of the county forward.

“I am ready to meet the legislators as early as next week and I am open for talks,” Ayacko said.

He was speaking at Kombe village on Saturday during the funeral of former Masaba MCA Abedi Maroa.

The burial was also attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Other leaders who attended were Kuria West MP Mathias Robi, Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko, Migori senator Eddy Oketch, Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Awendo MP Walter Owino and Nyatike MP Tom Odege.

Owino who had talked earlier said it was unfortunate that Ayacko has openly clashed with legislators and said the governor should take an upper hand and initiate talks.

“Governor should talk with all of us eight legislators in Migori. These open exchange of words by some of us will end up affecting voters,” he said.

Owino said it was unfortunate that some legislators have openly told off Ayacko ahead of the next general elections.

“Right now we need to tone down on all political rhetorics and sit down as elected leaders for talks on development. When the time for politics comes, we will have our development record to sell to people,” Walter said.

Robi said as a legislator, he has been supporting Ayacko despite him being elected under Azimio and him in Kenya Kwanza.

“I support the governor despite him being in the other political divide. What he will do to Kuria people will decide how we will relate with him in the next polls,” he said.

In an earlier radio interview, Ayacko downplayed tension between him and legislators who have been skipping his functions and specifically three who have openly clashed with him in public and social functions.

“My working relationship with legislators in Migori is smooth. We might have differences in talks but it doesn't affect our work,” Ayacko said then.

The governor has been openly criticized by Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Rongo MP Paul Abuor, two ODM rebel legislators who decided to work with President William Ruto.

His closest political ally Suna West MP Peter Masara openly criticized him too.

“My difference with Nyamita and Abuor is that I am an ODM party loyalist and they are not. They are my friends and on matters of development, we have been working together,” Ayacko said.

He said Nyamita and Masara have declared to campaign with him for the governor seat in 2027 when he will be defending his second term, a move he was okay with.