Kisumu County DG Mathews Owili has denied claims that he is wishing the governor death. Photo/kenyanewsagency.go.ke
Kisumu County Deputy Governor (DG) Mathews Owili has come out to fight claims that he is wishing governor Peter Anyang Nyong’o death so that he takes over the Lakeside County’s leadership.
Governor Nyong’o is in the US undergoing treatment.
Speaking in Kisumu on Thursday, Owili said the rumors are being spread by leaders who are out to tarnish his name. He asked the leaders to stop propaganda and focus on working for people who elected them.
“Those of you who for one reason or another may not know their responsibilities, I think the constitution is very clear. You may need to reconfirm what is expected of you by the electorate and go and do exactly that,” he said.
He added, “It does not matter how much noise you make. What we are saying is we have got no space for those who do not want to work. We have got no space for those who want to benefit themselves out of public money. We have no space for corrupt individuals.”
The DG’s sentiments seemed to be directed towards a section of leaders led by Kisumu senator Fred Otieno Outa and Kisumu County Assembly Speaker George Onyango Oloo, who recently claimed that the DG is wishing his boss death, so that he takes over as the governor.
Chapter 182 (2) of the Kenyan constitution says, “If a vacancy occurs in the office of county governor, the deputy county governor shall assume office as county governor for the remainder of the term of the county governor.”