Migori Governor Okoth Obado has cautioned elected leaders against criticising projects funded by the World Bank.
Speaking on Thursday when he met a delegation from the World Bank, the governor warned his critics against politicising the county's development agenda.
He denied claims by a section of politicians opposed to the projects that the county government had spent money on ghost projects.
"These projects will give the county a facelift and I would urge other leaders to embrace them fully. Even those that never benefitted in the first phase will be considered in the next phase," Obado said.
Abdi Mwoge, a senior urban specialist with the World Bank lauded Governor Obado for committing to ensure the projects are implemented successfully.
"We have been moving across the country to asses whether the allocations were well spent and I'm impressed with what the governor is doing. Going forward we will allocate funding based on performance and those counties with proven track records will be considered," he said
In Migori County, only Rongo, Awendo and Migori constituencies were earmarked for the projects, a move that was strongly opposed by leaders from Kuria and Nyatike constituencies.
A section of leaders from Kuria claimed that one of the two major municipalities in the region, Kehancha and Isebania, ought to have been considered for the project in the spirit of fairness and equitable distribution of resources.
Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama vowed to block the World Bank project from taking off until one of the municipalities in Kuria is brought on board.
His sentiments were echoed by Nyatike MP Tom Odege who argued that Governor Obado’s decision to sideline other regions is a recipe for chaos.
While launching the projects in January, Obado had accused leaders who are questioning the rationale used in the identification of the urban centres as being ‘hell-bent in giving him bad publicity’.
“Let them come so that we join hands to develop the people of Migori. If there are any gaps that I have not filled, then I want to challenge them that it is also their responsibility to come and share with me so that we all move together,” said Obado.