“Major problems were poor governance, poverty and youth unemployment, poor healthcare, poor ECDs, poor management of TVETs and environmental degradation."
He said that from 2017 to 2022, he has achieved 71 per cent of his development agenda, despite struggling with more than Sh1.8 billion bills.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said it was mandatory for counties to pay the bills.
“On these pending bills were pegged salaries and development funds, so we were not able to do any development nor pay our staff until we saw how much we had left to spend," Ottichilo said.
He said his administration had no option but to pay the bills, almost grounding services.
“Despite all those challenges, my administration managed to hire about 850 ECDE teachers," the governor said.
"We have hired about 2,000 community health workers and 341 health workers. We have also resolved their stalemate," he said.
Khaniri criticised Ottichilo’s administration. He said he had not done much to provide jobs, improve the health sector and provide better services.
While addressing his supporters, the senator said when Ottichilo took over, there were high hopes he would improve the county.
"I didn't know we were jumping from the frying pan into the real fire," Khaniri said.
“Ottichilo has further messed up. We expected something good from him but all in vain,” he added.
The governor criticised Senator Khaniri for allegedly failing in his oversight role as senator.
“Let us not pretend we are angels, you were mandated with oversight Where were you when the county was being plunged into pending bills?" Ottichilo asked.
(Edited by V. Graham)
