Elect sober MCAs who won't hold governors hostage, urges Ottichilo

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo has urged county residents and other Kenyans to elect sober MCAs who understand the role of oversight.

Ottichilo said devolution stands a better chance to change the lives of many Kenyans in poverty.

He said the caliber of MCAs elected is the major problem.

"Not all of them are bad but the majority have made governors their prisoner," Ottichilo. 

Ottichilo said Vihiga County could have been on another level in terms of development but MCAs who were elected have been frustrating him and blocking some of his development programmes.

“It’s unfortunate that our laws are in a way that the governor is at the mercy of MCAs and they have made us their hostage,” Ottichilo said.

He said governors in offices currently are there to comply with MCAs demands, if not that they risk losing their jobs via impeachment motions.

“Any policy you come up with and you want it to be passed on the floor, you must provide handouts first if not it's shot down,” he added.

He said any county with sober-minded MCAs is better compared to Vihiga County, where MCAs only front their interests.

“As we move to the next election, don’t underrate the MCAs positions at any cost,” he appealed.

The county chief, while addressing Bunyore professionals at Mulukhoro in Emuhaya sub-county, urged locals not to waste their vote by electing bogus MCAs who will frustrate him in the second term.

“The 70 percent development that I have achieved it has been through sweet and pains for me to achieve,” Ottichilo said.

He urged Vihiga County professionals to come out in large numbers to ensure only credible MCAs are elected.

“In fact, it will be better if we have professionals on the list so that we are able to work smartly,” he cited.

Ottichilo’s sentiment comes after 15 Vihiga MCAs declared support for Vihiga senator George Khaniri in the gubernatorial race.

The 15, led by Deputy Speaker Zakaraia Murefu, who is also MCA for Chepkoyai, assured Khaniri their support.

Others were Wycliffe Masini (Mungoma), Tom Atingo ( Luanda Township), Kutai Obusuru (North East Bunyore), Stephen Mugalits  (Chavakali), Vincent Atsiaya (Wodanga), Violet Bagada (ANC nominated), Elisha Amara (South Maragoli), Manyasa Zakayo (Luanda South), Moses Opole (Emabungo), Francis Okiru (Itsava Lyaduywa), Victor Ijaika (Lugaga Wamuluma ward), and Evans chunguli (Central maragoli ward).

Central Bunyore MCA Paul Tiira, Wemilabi ward Patrick Akhwale and Manoh Wimsey were missing during the event.

Ottichilo said he is currently working on his strategic plan for 2022-2028 and he will launch it immediately if he wins.