Former CIC chair Charles Nyachae has defended his intention to challenge Kisii Governor James Ongwae in 2017 polls saying his ambition was within constitutional framework.
Speaking on Saturday at Nyaribari Masaba constituency, Nyachae said all Kenyans had a constitutional right to run for any elective office as long as they fulfilled provisions in the law.
He urged area residents to support his bid and dismissed Mr Ongwae’s development record as ‘minute’ given the resources the county is collecting from locals as revenue.
“For a long time now, a number of people have been questioning my intention to run for gubernatorial seat and I want to answer them. Going for any elective seat is a constitutional right of all Kenyans as long as you fulfill certain electoral requirements. I want to urge the people of Kisii to consider my candidature because the current regime’s development record is minute,” he said.
He also said that he was best suited for the job given his vast knowledge in the legal affairs saying the current leadership had infringed people’s rights by openly violating the constitution.
“Our county is being run like someone’s personal kiosk. The law isn’t followed especially in recruitment of employees and nepotism has taken center stage. I understand the law and public management so I believe I am the best candidate for the job,” he said.
Mr Nyachae, who has for a number of times linked with a possibility of getting a job in Uhuru Kenyatta’s government, ruled himself out in the race to replace CJ Willy Mutunga.
“Sometimes I hear people saying I was to be Devolution Minister and now they are tipping me to CJ’s position. All I want to say is that I am ready to serve the people of Kisii so that we use the resources collected locally and the one we receive from national government to spur growth in rural area. We want good roads, revival of agricultural sectors such as coffee and so on,” he said.
He has faced criticism in the past by Ongwae’s lieutenants led by Majority Whip Henry Moracha who accuses him of ‘political greediness’.