Kisii Senator Chris Obure says the inability by area Governor James Ongwae to embrace accountability propelled him to go for gubernatorial seat.
Obure, a former ODM Kisii branch chair, is set to challenge Ongwae on a Jubilee ticket in August General elections.
The former Public Works minister said Ongwae was unable to account for millions of money that had both been generated locally and from the national government.
"I am not that power hungry to start challenging someone without tangible reasons. Ongwae has been very difficult to handle especially when it comes to accountability," he said.
"There is insignificant progress in the county since the inception of county governments. The governor has not initiated a project worth millions of shillings he receives annually and that is what I want to rectify," he added.
Obure, a long term ally of opposition leader Raila Odinga, cut links with opposition recently by joining the rival Jubilee Party at a ceremony in Kasarani stadium.