Kisii governor James Ongwae has said he has good working relationship with Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, clearing the air over allegations of a troubled relationship.
Speaking on Wednesday at Kisii Agricultural Training Center (KATC) during the farmers’ field day, Ongwae said together with his deputy, they have put proper mechanisms to ensure development in Kisii County.
“I have no problem with Maangi. We are jointly working together to ensure we are delivering to the Kisii electorate according our campaign pledges. Anybody thinking we are having wrangles is idle. We are striving towards maintaining confidence among Kisii residents that they entrusted to us,” he said.
Deputy governor Joash Maangi, who is also National chairman for the Council of Deputy Governors, said he will ensure there is good rapport between governor and their deputies, in order to ensure successful devolution.
The deputy governor told critics to contribute positively towards improving the welfare of Kisii County residents instead of diving them along political lines.
“As national chairman for deputy governors, my core role is to ensure cordial relationship between governors and deputy governors. Therefore, I warn those dividing us by spreading propaganda that I am not in the same boat with my governor. We are working together as never before so that we can promote devolution by ensuring service delivery in the devolved units,” he stressed.
A section of residents have been claiming that Maangi has been undermining the governor with some alleging that he organized a recent demonstration at Ogembo.
However, he dismissed the allegations saying he was not aware of the demos, adding that it was his opponents who were spreading the rumour.
Another incident took place a week ago, where contractors alleged that the deputy governor incited them to demonstrate in order to be paid their money.
He has rubbished the allegations and said he had only agreed to meet them in his office to discuss their issue of delayed payment.