Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua hosts public forums to defend development record

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua (centre) distributes medicine to officials in Subukia sub-county during the ‘Gavana Mtaani’ meeting recently. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/ STANDARD]

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has embarked on popularing the county government’s achievements through a programme dubbed, ‘Gavana Mtaani.’

The governor and the executive team have set aside two days every week to meet the public and address their concerns in sub-county headquarters.

“He wants his presence at the grassroots felt more. The governor and the departmental staff have set up temporary offices in sub-county headquarters,” said Ezekiel Kisendanyi, a close ally of Mbugua.

This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta hit out at the county leadership saying it has nothing much to show for Sh23 billion received from the national government in the three financial years.

The governor’s opponents accuse him of failure to initiate any meaningful development projects, abandoning the electorate and being inaccessible.

“The governor made some serious mistakes on resettlement of street traders in the town among others,” observes Simon Sangale Nasieku, the chairman of the street traders association.

But Christopher Maritim, a former civic leader, says the governor needs to do more than just reach out to voters through the ‘Gavan Mtaani’ initiative.

“Mbugua needs to crack the whip on senior officers who have let him down in terms of service delivery to the people besides reaching out to voters,” Mr Maritim said.

But County Secretary Joseph Motari defended the programme saying no extra resources are going towards the exercise that has seen the governor so far meet voters in Olenguruone, Njoro, Subukia and Rongai sub counties.

“The programme is not about the governor’s political survival. This outreach started in February and will cover all the 11 sub counties and thereafter enter into the second phase where it will be taken to all 55 wards,” he said.

Mbugua said the programme is meant to make his administration more accessible. “Wananchi have employed us, thus we need to make ourselves accessible to them for mutual understanding and objective appraisal.

“Through this outreach programme we are bringing services closer to the people as well as informing and educating them about our mandate and the gains we have made so far,” he told The Standard on Sunday.

He said the programme is meant to inform the public of the county’s achievements and give them (voters) an opportunity to rate the performance of his administration.

“The programme has nothing to do with my re-election. It gives the people opportunity to understand their county government without the hustle of traveling to the headquarters, a chance to air their concerns, thus taking part in the making decision of governance in their county,” Mbugua sid.

During one of the forums in Subukia sub-county the governor met with youth, women and traders.