- Those who have skipped the rallies have said they are cooperating with the national government for the sake of development.
- Ndeti spoke on February 10 after a meeting with President Ruto at State House.
Image: ENOS TECHE
Majority of the governors allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition are shunning the ongoing public barazas by opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Out of the eight counties that Raila has visited since launching his resistance against President William Ruto in January, at least five governors have skipped his barazas.
Some of the governors have already indicated that they are ready to work with President Ruto's government for the sake of development despite Raila's protests.
Those who have skipped the rallies have said they are cooperating and collaborating with the national government for the sake of development.
The Azimio governors who have missed Raila's allies include Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Paul Otuoma(Busia), George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Amos Nyaribo(Nyamira) and Wilber Otichilo(Vihiga).
When Raila visited Trans Nzoia on Sunday for a public rally at Kitale stadium, Natembeya was a no show with Azimio MPs attacking him for abandoning the opposition.
Natembeya was elected on the DAP-K party ticket, a key outfit in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance.
He is among the Azimio-allied governors who have shown their willingness to work with President Ruto's government for the sake of development.
“I only have one agenda, and that’s developing my county and ensuring that the living standards of our people are upscaled. For that reason, I am ready to work hand in hand with the national government and other leaders. I want to see that we change the story of Trans Nzoia, for the better,” he said on January 18.
“With election politics behind us and to ensure Trans Nzoia County receives maximum benefit from the national government, I have appealed to elected leaders to put aside individual political party affiliation.”
Wavinya, who was elected on the Wiper party ticket, has also publicly stated that she will collaborate with the national government to realise her vision for the people of Machakos.
Wavinya was on January 13 a no-show in Mavoko town, Machakos county, as she was attending the governor's meeting in Naivasha graced by President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
“My Government is fully committed to working with the National Government towards achieving key infrastructure development projects and achieving universal healthcare in Machakos County,” she said.
Ndeti spoke on February 10 after a meeting with President Ruto at State House.
While Nyamira's Nyaribo has not indicated working with Ruto, he was missing in action when Raila toured the county last week.
His deputy James Gesami of ODM party was also absent during the rallies, leaving party national treasurer Timothy Bosire to lead the local team.
Nyaribo was elected on the UPA party ticket, which is affiliated with Azimio.
On February 10, Otuoma also failed to join his party leader for a consultative forum in Busia town.
Kalonzo has previously warned and called on supporters to ignore leaders who have gone to bed with the establishment.
“Political prostitution where you are either elected on ODM, Wiper, Jubilee or any other Azimio party then you cross to dine with Kenya Kwanza, that is the height of disrespect,” Kalonzo said at a previous rally.