If performance tracking was a shrine, Vihiga County would be its home and Governor Wilber Ottichilo and Senator George Khaniri its chief priests.
It would, however, be a cantankerous place full of finger-pointing and blame-game with the antagonists locked in a tough battle to win the county’s top seat.
Senator Khaniri, who recently launched his 2022 governorship bid, is angry with Dr Ottichilo for allegedly painting him as a non-performer.
He’s now challenging the county boss to a one-on-one debate to outline their respective achievements.
2017 manifesto
“I’ve heard Governor Ottichilo saying that I’ve done nothing. I want to meet him on a platform where I’ll show him what I’ve done for the people of Vihiga,” Mr Khaniri said.
In turn, Dr Ottichilo awards himself a 71 per cent score for his first term. He claims to have executed most of the 58 projects he lined up in his 2017 manifesto and that he deserves another term in office.
“It’s clear that I’ve performed well above average,” Dr Ottichilo said. “I need to graduate to a second term. This performance was because of collective teamwork by the county executive team, the assembly, the national government, the people, our development partners and other stakeholders.”
Seeking to wiggle his way out of a tricky numbers game, Mr Khaniri has pointed out that, unlike MPs and governors, senators don’t have a development fund to run.
He, instead, claimed he used his political experience in the Senate to ensure the county government got its share of revenue allocation even though locals are still struggling with poverty despite the county receiving Sh36 billion.
Also in the race is former Governor Moses Akaranga and Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi. Mr Khaniri said he is the best choice for governor.
“Our women are still walking to the streams to fetch water. Patients in our hospitals are being asked to buy medicine. These are the basics I’m talking about. I want to make a difference in the lives of our people,” he said.
“I’ll unveil my manifesto that will detail what I’ll do for the people of Vihiga,” Mr Khaniri added, and revealed that he decided to challenge Dr Ottichilo for the seat after listening to delegations from each of the 25 wards.
A solid start
He has since gained the backing of 15 out of the 25 elected MCAs. The 15 are drawn from Mr Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress, Mr Akaranga’s Progressive Party of Kenya, and Dr Ottichilo’s Orange Democratic Movement, which, he believes, gives him a solid start in the race.
“Under [Dr] Ottichilo, a few people are rich while the majority suffer. [Mr] Akaranga has had his turn. [Mr] Agoi should defend his parliamentary seat. I’m the only one who can send [Dr] Ottichilo home,” Mr Khaniri said.
His four terms as Hamisi MP and two terms as senator, he says, are enough political experience. BY DAILY NATION