MP Tobiko has chided Governor Lenku as a serial rubble rouser, whose grand legacy is division and poor development record
By Jonathan Teikan
Trailblazer Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko has promised residents that she will nurse every “pain” that Governor Joseph ole Lenku’s administration has inflicted upon them, once she is elected as the third governor, come 2022.
The vocal legislator made the remarks yesterday afternoon while addressing residents at Enoosikitok, in Matapato South, the home turf of Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, where she was hosted by Jackson Marasua, a veteran secretary of Mailua group ranch.
The public’s representatives who spoke at the gathering, prior to the turn of the MP, and who were previously strong-willed supporters of the incumbent governor, were unanimous that “we need a change of guard” in the county leadership, to mark the end of “untold suffering”, that they claim has been inflicted on them by the current regime.
Among the issues the residents allege that it’s “paining” them are; unequal access to job opportunities, poor road infrastructure, unpaid pending bills, and neglect by the administration they “overwhelmingly” voted for in the last General Election.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Amos Roine, said the youth population in the area voted for the current administration to the man, in the hope that once they get to the office, the deputy governor, being one of them and hailing from the area, would help transform their fortunes by improving their road infrastructure, that is apparently in bad shape, and helping at least some of them, who are learned but jobless, to secure job opportunities at the county government.
Unfortunately, they say, “roads as you can see are in a dilapidated state”, a matter they say it is adversely affecting their businesses and by extent their livelihoods.
They also claimed that job vacancies are being dished out discriminately on the basis of clan and political affiliations — not merit — and that disillusioned graduates from poor families, or whose parents are perceivably downtrodden in the society are overlooked.
John ole Muli, from Noolakir, in Kajiado South, however absolved the DG of any blame, claiming that the functions of his office have long been usurped by “powerful operatives” close to the governor, leaving him both distraught and dysfunctional.
“I urge us to have compassion for our DG, he is not to blame, but his boss who has deprived him of his duties, and ended up running the county as though it is a one-man show… He long-ceased to be a DG, as his place has been taken by (nominated Senator Judith) Pareno.”
On his part, Seleka ole Mpaa, a brother to, and a vocal critic of Governor Lenku, decried that he was awarded a contract to construct a road, and after he sold his cows to finance the construction, he is yet to be paid for the work done. He thus urged MP Tobiko, to ensure that contractors are paid in time, once she ascent to power.
Others among them; Francis ole Munii, popularly known as Equity, from the Keekonyokie Ward, and Olkeriai former councillor Sentui Kakuro said that the current administration has “abandoned” them despite having lead spirited campaigns “that gave them victory” before the past general election.
“As for me, I have 31 children, some are in primary, others are in institutions of higher learning, while a few of them have completed their studies, yet my persistent efforts to reach out to the governor for any assistance in form of bursary issuance have bone no fruit, yet I see some of my neighbours getting the bursaries or their children get employed by the county government, even when we know that they do not have the requisite documents,” said the former councillor.
When she rose to speak, Tobiko chided Lenku as a serial rubble rouser, whose grand legacy is division and poor development record, despite having chunks of money at his disposal.
She said, immediately the governor was sworn into office, she led her troops to the home of former councillor Timothy Sayiore, in Ilmaroro, with the intention to announce her unequivocal support to the governor, but he stood and begun taking on her on the very platform, noting that then was the genesis of their political rivalry.
She further exuded confidence, that despite her humble background, where her late father worked as a security guard for decades, unlike Lenku who was born of a prominent and wealthy paramount chief, and that she does not compare with the governor in terms of resources, she will still triumph against him with a landslide.
“(Governor) Lenku boast that he has amassed enough resources which he can use to campaign against my candidature, but I will tell him that God will not allow him another opportunity to commit so much mess as he has already done,” she said.
Various women leaders, among them former Matapato North Ward aspirants Peninah Munke and Sylvia Paita, and who also addressed the gathering, assured the MP that they will mobilize the women constituency to back her gubernatorial candidature.
Naishorua Kapaito, the chairlady of Women in Business Chamber of Commerce in Kajiado County, pledged to mobilize her members, which she said are slightly above 800, to rally their support behind the MP, as she face off with Lenku.
