Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga has exited the county WhatsApp group after a member of the group mocked her elder brother, Cord leader Raila Odinga.
Ruth termed the move to mock Raila ‘sycophancy’, expressing fury over the post.
A debate had ensued in the group following the fire which gutted Kibuye Market on Friday night with members applauding Ranguma over a statement he had posted in the group used by senior county government officials to articulate county issues.
On Saturday midday, Governor Jack Ranguma posted a brief statement on the group named ‘COUNTY GVN’T OF KISUMU’ detailing on his response over the inferno.
Ranguma posted: “This morning I went to condole with the victims of Kibuye fire tragedy and to assess the extent of damage. I was also there late yesternight to be in solidarity with them. The damage is huge! In response, I have ordered the Engineers and Architects, both from the city and the county to go to the site and begin planning immediately for reconstruction work to begin. I am also going to negotiate with various banks where the traders had borrowed loans to give a temporary stay on repayment awaiting the traders to resume their normal businesses. Further, I have ordered the revenue collectors to exempt the Kibuye fire victims until normalcy returns. As a county government, we will give the traders some money(trade funds) to enable them kick-start their businesses. During this moment of 'grief', I urge politicians to keep off unnecessary politics which can exercebate the situation. We however welcome their interventions to help us rebuild Kibuye because it a major source of livehood to our residents.”
One of the group members, in appreciating the governor’s move, then posted: “Governor you have articulated that issue like 10 Railas…..Kudos”
The statement did not go well with the deputy governor who immediately left the group. When contacted by the writer the reason for her exit, she expressed displeasure with the post saying: “I hate sycophancy.”
The statement seem to have created a picture of disrespect to the party leader, given that the group is comprised of CeCs, Chief Officers and other leaders from the area.