- Ndeti told off her critics who have expressed their concerns about her decision to work with Ruto.
- She vowed to stay put and focus on her mandate as the county’s chief with the intent of improving residents’ livelihoods and living standards.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has maintained she will continue working with President William Ruto and his administration stating it was in the county residents’ best interests.
Ndeti told off her critics who have expressed their concerns about her decision to work with Ruto.
She vowed to stay put and focus on her mandate as the county’s chief with the intent of improving residents’ livelihoods and living standards.
She was elected to the office on a Wiper party ticket, whose leader Kalonzo Musyoka has maintained that his political marriage with ODM chief Raila Odinga remains alive.
“I won’t be slowed down by political distracters who have been questioning my administration’s working relations with President William Ruto,” Ndeti said.
Ndeti made the remarks at her White House office in Machakos town as she hosted the local Muslim community for an Iftar dinner on Friday evening.
This was a few hours after together with her deputy Francis Mwangangi hosted Ruto as he commissioned the Sh2.7 billion Mavoko Drinking Water Supply project at Athi River in Mavoko sub-county.
She said it was wrong for a section of political leaders and their followers to politicize her decision to collaborate with the national government in delivering key development projects in the county.
"The fact that we are engaging the President to support our local development projects does not mean we are disrespecting the political party that sponsored us to office," Ndeti said.
"The President is serving the same people we are serving and it is only fair that we consolidate efforts for the maximum benefit of the people we serve."
Ruto is expected in Machakos on Sunday (tomorrow) for interdenominational prayers and a thanksgiving service at the Kenyatta stadium.
"I was elected by the residents of Machakos to promote development for the social and economic transformation of the people and I must work with the national government to secure these benefits," Ndeti said.
"If I had failed to attend the President’s event in Athi River, I wouldn’t have secured additional funding for projects amounting to Sh1 billion that Ruto pledged to fund."
The president while addressing the public in Athi River earlier Friday, announced that his administration will allocate Sh100 million for the construction of the stalled Mavoko stadium project located barely 800 metres from Makadara shopping centre and a further Sh250 million for the establishment of Machakos County Industrial Park.
Ndeti had during the head of state’s visit to Mavoko publicly pleaded with him to raise his allocation to the industrial park project from Sh100 million to Sh200 million, Ruto raised it to Sh250 million instead.
“Your Excellency, I have all the 45 tribes of Kenya here in Machakos, I’m a mother of all. When the industrial park is opened, all these Kenyans will secure jobs,” Ndeti told Ruto.
She also urged the president to help fast-track the completion of; Kinanie, Matuu – Ekalakala, and Kenol – Kaani roads construction projects launched during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign.
“We had agreed with your governor on the establishment of Machakos County Industrial Park that won’t only help in matters agriculture, but also youth employment," Ruto said.
"We agreed that my administration allocates Sh100 million but since she has publicly asked for additional funding, I will raise it to Sh250 million.”
Ruto said the parks will also help in value addition, agro-processing, and manufacturing for job creation and enable the majority of Kenyans to earn a living with money in their pockets.
Mwangangi echoed her boss’s sentiments with the tough defence on claims she was engaging in an "unholy relationship" with the ruling regime.
"I want to make it clear for all and sundry that I am fully behind Governor Wavinya Ndeti because I am convinced her actions and leadership decisions are in the best interests of the residents of Machakos,” Mwangangi said.
“We can’t ignore the national government because it plays a major role in channelling resources for development to the counties,” he added.
He dismissed the governor’s critics as political idlers who want to create a mountain out of an anthill.
“The critics want to create a big issue out of nothing. By working with Ruto and his administration, the governor and I only want to fulfil the mandate we were given by the Machakos people to improve their livelihoods through economic transformation,” Mwangangi said.