• Obado says his bond terms have 'tied his legs' and he can't travel within 20km radius of Homa Bay
• Relations with Raila have been strained over 2017 election and Obado's cosying up to DP Ruto
Image: FILE
Migori Governor Okoth Obado will skip an event by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the area today as antagonism between the two builds ahead of 2022.
Speaking to the press in his office on Thursday, Obado said he personally welcomes Raila to the function in Awendo hosted by MP Walter Owino to launch a Kenya Medical Training College.
“I welcome him (Raila) to Awendo as he will bring development where our children will go to school, but I won’t be there,” Obado said.
Obado and Raila’s fraternity fell apart after the last general election when the governor defied the party, quit ODM, ran against the ODM candidate and won a resounding victory.
The governor has hosted Deputy President William Ruto several times in Migori, rattling the Orange Party.
The governor said that people whom he did not identify made it impossible for him to meet Raila “because my legs have been tied and I should not be travelling far”.
“I hope that they will pray that these ropes are loosened,” he said.
His referred to his bond terms in the case of his alleged murder of his pregnant lover, Sharon Otieno, and their unborn child.
He is prevented from going within a 20km radius of Homa Bay county where Otieno resides.
Apart from the murder charges, Obado also faces charges of possession of illegal guns. He is under probe by the EACC over alleged misappropriation of more than Sh2 billion public funds that were channelled to family members and cronies.
Obado said he was ready to face a tribunal judging the conduct of Supreme Court justice Jackton Ojwang' who hails from Kakrao, five kilometres from Migori town.
The governor is alleged to have tarmacked a link road to the area of Ojwang's home.
Complaints said the road and a 300-metre stretch to the judge’s gate were allegedly built on the orders of the governor as a gift to the judge for issuing a favourable judicial ruling.
Obado and Ojwang' deny impropriety.
“I am ready for tribunal personal and as he Migori county government to put the record straight against malicious propaganda,” Obado said.
He added, "The Supreme Court has seven judges, apart from claims about Ojwang what can they show about other six judges? They can’t say that Ojwang’ can decide for others.”
“My name has been spoiled enough, I will take these people to task,” Okothsaid
He said the road in question was done under routine opening and maintenance and Ojwang’ is not the only person living in the area.
“It is very wrong and malicious to tarnish the name of Ojwang,” he said.