Narok Governor Samwel Tunai blames rivals for internal power wrangles

Narok Governor Samwel Tunai yesterday said the leadership wrangles rocking the county were being fomented by his rivals who were opposed to his efforts to seal corruption loopholes.

Mr Tunai claimed his opponents were angry over measures the county had taken to prevent theft of public funds and singled out collection and use of revenue from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

The game reserve generates an annual income of Sh2 billion and revenue collection has been automated.

"What we are witnessing is a battle between a progressive leadership and people keen on maintaining the status quo to continue using public resources for their own benefit," said Tunai during a press conference at a Nairobi hotel.

He was accompanied by more than 40 members of the Narok County Assembly.

He accused his opponents of thriving on propaganda and seeking to confuse the people of Narok.

Leaders who spoke during the press conference defended Tunai and dared his opponents to make good their threat to organise demonstrations to press for his removal.

They challenged them to provide any evidence of discrimination in job allocations, saying all the major tribes in the region were represented in the county government.

"If they have issues with management of county resources, the law is very clear on the channels to be followed. If the senator has any issues and has evidence, he should petition the Senate," said Deputy Governor Evalyn Aruasa.

Narok County Woman Representative Soipan Tuya also supported the governor.

"We are in support of development. We condemn any individual who wants to block the people of Narok from enjoying the fruits of the new Constitution," said Ms Tuya.

Aruasa and Tuya are part of a group that also comprises, among others, MPs Gideon Konchella (Kilgoris), Ken Kiloku (Narok East) and Narok County Assembly Majority leader Stephen ole Kudate who have backed the governor.

Narok Senator Stephen ole Ntutu and other leaders have accused the county leadership of corruption and nepotism.

But the governor and his supporters claim those opposed to his leadership are self-seekers intending to introduce old corruption networks into the county.

Yesterday, Tunai and his allies accused the senator of seeking to confuse the Narok County while fronting his agenda for the 2017 elections.

While the Governor appears to have won over the support of majority of political leaders in the region, his opponents have persistently called on him to step down over alleged corruption and nepotism.