Governor Obado blames 'outside forces' for woes

Okoth Obado

Migori Governor Okoth Obado.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

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Mr Obado  has  dismissed claims that he had bribed local MCAs not to push through with the impeachment motion.

The governor alleged that there are people intimidating members of the public and trying to paint him in a bad light.

Embattled Migori Governor Okoth Obado has opened up on his looming impeachment and accused some people in the ODM party of seeking to settle political scores.

Mr Obado also dismissed claims that he had bribed local MCAs not to push through with the impeachment motion.

“I have not bribed or intimidated MCAs. I have nothing to fear. If anything, the Migori MCAs are independent thinkers who make their own decisions,” Mr Obado said.

“It is not ODM baying for my blood, but a few individuals. One or two people in the party taking advantage of my current situation to settle personal and political scores.”

The governor also alleged that there are people intimidating members of the public and trying to paint him in a bad light.

“We are concerned with the heavy presence of police in Migori. But I don't have a problem if they are not intimidating locals,” he said.

The governor also urged prayers for his county, claiming,  “forces from outside have been infiltrating the county and deploying tactics including printing t-shirts to the youth to don and portray me as a violent person.”

He also alleged that there was no meeting convened by ODM party to initiate his ouster. ODM is leading the push to impeach Mr Obado.

The party, led by its party leader Raila Odinga, wants deputy governor Mwita Mahanga to take charge of the county affairs since the governor is barred from office.

“If the impeachment is originated from the ODM well and fine but so far there is none. I am challenging the ODM party to avail the minutes that decided my fate,” he said.

“I am pleading for fair play because once that is not practised I have a reason to complain because I am being used as a guinea pig.”

Mr Obado has been charged alongside others with embezzling Sh73 million of public funds.

He was released on a Sh8.7 million cash bail or Sh20 million bond pending hearing and determination of the graft case.

Meanwhile, Mr Obado denied claims of a frosty relationship between him and his deputy Nelson Mwita Mahanga.

There have been reports that he had subjected his deputy to mistreatment and that he is afraid that should he be impeached, Mr Mahanga will take over running of the county.

"My deputy has never complained of any mistreatment. It is a lie that he has been denied access to his office. In fact, his office is even better than mine," said Mr Obado.

He accused the ODM Chairman John Mbadi of peddling falsehoods against him.

"ODM officials, who I respect, should never misuse their offices to peddle misplaced falsehoods to attract public sympathy. People know the truth about my relationship with Mahanga which is cordial," said Mr Obado.