If Migori Governor Okoth Obado thought that he had found a friend who would help him fight his battles in the form of William Ruto, he was absolutely wrong if the latest developments are anything to go by.
William Ruto and Okoth Obado have made headlines for the past few weeks with the deputy President pledging to work with the governor amid great opposition from sections of leaders and Kenyans led by ODM legislators from the Nyanza region.
Ruto had on his part said that there was nothing wrong in him working with governor Obado to bring development to the people of Migori. This was despite the various grave charges that Okoth Obado is facing in the court of law ranging from Murder, Corruption and now illegal possession of firearms.
“Is there a problem if I work with governor Okoth Obado? I will continue to work with him to deliver development to our people. I will not mind what is said of our closeness,” he said.
On the corruption issues, Ruto yesterday said that no one will be spared, not even his friends and relatives, in the fight against corruption.
Should this ring a bell to governor Obado? I bet Yes.
According to Ruto, the fight against theft of public resources will be thorough and relentless, adding that his office will lead the fight.
Ruto said the government is keen on winning the war as it seeks to elevate Kenya into an upper middle-income country.
The DP said every arm of the government has to weigh in on the assault against corruption, and ‘every citizen must play their part’.
“The fight against organised crime, mismanagement, theft and corruption is now running full steam and there are no friends, no relatives, and no political sides,” Ruto said.
He spoke in Nairobi on Wednesday during a forum with Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, and development partners.
The meeting, which sought to understand the priority areas of the Big Four agenda, saw development partners pledge to align their strategies to the same.
As part of the fight against corruption, the Deputy President noted that his office would be providing leadership on Open Government Partnership to foster transparency, accountability and promote citizen participation.
Besides anti-graft efforts, Ruto said taming wastage and abuse of public resources was necessary for Kenya to thrive.
“The transformation of Kenya is necessary, urgent and inevitable,” Ruto told the audience.
Ruto’s latest remarks on the fight against corruption and crime is surely going to make a number of his friends shiver in fear since many had earlier considered Ruto as a man that condoned corruption.
It now looks like Governor Okoth Obado will have to fight his battles all by himself as his new friend has already taken a tough stand that is surely going to leave many as casualties.
The Migori Governor is accused by the anti-graft body of siphoning Ksh.2 billion from the county coffers through companies registered by his relatives.
“The commission received credible information that a few persons well known to be proxies of the governor, registered several companies for the purpose of fraudulent acquisition of public funds through fictitious contracts,” says EACC in documents filed in court.
Do you support Ruto’s latest remarks on the fight against corruption and organized crimes?