[Kisii Governor James Ongwae in a past rally. He differed with Bonchari MP Zebedeo Opore over development in the region. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Kisii County Governor James Ongwae has asked the Jubilee government to prepare to hand over power to Nasa in four months' time.
His comments came as leaders clashed at the funeral of Yusaphia Mocheche Otara, mother-in-law to Women Rep Mary Otara's in Bomorenda, Bonchari constituency, Kisii County.
He expressed his confidence that National Super Alliance (Nasa) principal and ODM leader Raila Odinga would win the presidential election, saying Kenyans had already shown their desire to elect him as head of state.
He was responding to remarks made by Bonchari MP Zebedeo Opore, who had insisted that the Gusii region would vote for Jubilee and President Uhuru Kenyatta at the August polls.
Mr Opore had criticised the governor for what he termed "a dismal development record", saying he had refused to fulfill his development pledges to the area residents and also shunned attempts by MPs to reach out to him for consultations.
"When our governor assumed office, we went to see him several times as MPs in an attempt to develop and implement a common development agenda for our people. Despite the numerous promises he gave us, we are yet to see if he fulfilled them since our people's development needs including roads, street lights, libraries and expanded, properly staffed sub county hospitals stocked with medicines are still unmet," said Mr Opore.
He however ran into trouble when his attempts to appeal to the gathered crowd to support Jubilee were met with jeers and heckling.
Unable to continue his speech, Mr Opore was finally forced to hand over the microphone to the governor, who immediately dismissed his claims as "unfounded and based on cheap politics".
Speaking at the funeral, the governor told the MP to take the Nasa message to the president to cheers from the mourners.
"I want you to take this categorical message to the incumbent president. Jubilee has only four months left in office since the next president to be sworn in come August will be Nasa and ODM leader Raila Amolo Odinga," said the governor to wild applause.
He defended his track record as governor, saying he took power without a job description or set guideline on the task in many sectors.
"When I assumed office as the first Kisii County governor, I did not have a complete picture of what governors were supposed to do since devolution was a new concept in the country. I have how ever managed to do much more in my four years in office than others who have served for 40 years," said Governor Ongwae.
He said his administration had ensured the improvement of vital infrastructure including opening up more than 400 km of roads, the construction of new wards, purchase and leasing of modern diagnostic equipment at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital and construction of ECD classes in the county's 45 wards.
"Our development record is no secret and my detractors who are busy traversing the county to claim that I've not performed my duties are bare-faced liars. Voters will smoke them out come August 8," he said.
He wished the incumbent women rep well in her campaign, but asked her husband, former Itierio Boys' Principal Mr Andrew Otara to support Nasa and ensure better working conditions for teachers.
"I would like to assure you that our incoming government will treat you better than the current regime, which has mishandled your case," said the governor in apparent reference to the principal's interdiction after the arson incident in Itierio High School.
He eulogized the late Mochache as a pillar of virtue, hard work, honesty and Christian piety in her family and community, saying she would be dearly missed.
Addressing mourners, Ms Otara described her mother in law as a dear friend, asking married women to cherish and respect their mothers in law as a way to strengthen their family bonds.
"Mocheche was my best friend and confidant. I will forever miss her because she always defended my interests and lovingly guided our family," she said.
Ms Otara defended her decision to quit ODM for Jubilee, saying she had been sidelined in favour of another candidate.
"ODM is the party that nurtured my political career, offering me a platform to represent the Kisii residents as women rep in 2013. When I discovered that plans were in place to deny me the ODM ticket for the coming elections, I opted to look for another party that would accommodate my democratic right to vie for the seat and that party is is Jubilee," she told the gathering.
She told off her political foes for claiming she was a non performer, saying women representatives were only granted development funds by the State last year.
"After a long period of intense lobbying and legislative battles in parliament, we finally got the National Government Affirmative Action Fund Bill passed, and within that short period I have disbursed over Sh 20 m to various county women, youth and disabled groups," said Ms Otara.
Speaking at the same venue, former KICC chair and South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara caused laughter when he said he was the only senator who was not sworn in during the last general elections.
"I am the only senator who was not sworn in in 2013, despite having won the election. For two days, we led in the poll only for the tally to mysteriously change on the third and final day of counting," said Mr Magara.
He said his People's Development Party (PDP) was independent and the only political vehicle capable of expressing the Gusii people's development aspirations.
The PDP party leader and senatorial aspirant claimed he was in talks with Nasa leaders over a possible cooperation ahead of the polls.
"We are fully independent and non-aligned to the competing political interests. However, Nasa leaders Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi have approached me to be part of the alliance and our discussions are so far cordial and likely to be fruitful ," claimed Mr Magara.
He compared his years in the political cold after the 2013 loss to the biblical Jacob's love for Rachel, saying the IEBC had given him Leah as his bride, forcing him to "wait another seven years for his true love".
" I was tricked into accepting Leah at the last election and have been patiently waiting like Jacob did for seven years in order to wed his true love Rachel. This time, I appeal to you all to support me so that I take my Rachel which us the senator's seat, home," he said to cheers from the gathered crowd.
Other leaders who attended the function included MCAs John Ombati (Bogiakumu), Samwel Apoko (Kiogoro), Tabitha Okongo (nominated), parliamentary aspirant and former Bonchari MP Oroo Oyioka (ODM) Charles Mogaka and Ignatius Nyakundi, Women rep aspirant and popular Egesa FM radio personality Donya Aburi, Linet Mongare and Judy Miruka.