Uproar as Outa claims he is Nyong’o s automatic successor

Kisumu Senator Fred Outa (Left) with former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma during the burial of retired Arch-Bishop Silas Owiti of the Voice of Salvation and Healing Church during his burial at Tura village in Ahero on 2nd February 2018 .The Bishop died while undergoing treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu two weeks ago at age 90. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

Wrangles between Kisumu County leaders intensified on Friday after two legislators clashed at a funeral.

Trouble started when Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor told Senator Fred Outa that he would not sit back and watch him interfere with the running of the county government.

“Whoever you are, whether a senator or any other leader, and think you can meddle in the county affairs, we will face you head on,” said Aduma.

A furious Aduma refused to greet the Senator as the war of words escalated at the burial of retired Arch-Bishop Silas Owiti, a veteran Pentecostal preacher, in Nyando.

When he rose to speak, Outa said he was Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s automatic successor with a big stake in the county government.

“I am fully part of this county government, and I have an MoU with Nyong’o that when he leaves office, I will replace him. It does not matter when,” he said.

Outa has in the recent past been accused of fueling wrangles within the county government so that he can position himself to win the seat in 2022.

The Senator and County Assembly Speaker Onyango Oloo accuse senior officials in Nyong’o’s administration of abetting corruption.

Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, who was also present at the funeral, has been running the county government for the last two months after Nyong’o left for the US for treatment. He is expected back next week.

The wrangles started after Outa and Oloo claimed that Sh250 million in road construction tenders had been illegally awarded to specific contractors who had links with the county leadership.

Owili declined to respond to the allegations but the two leaders called for his resignation, claiming he was ruining Nyong’o legacy.

The war quickly sucked in other leaders, including MPs and MCAs who claimed that Outa was out to rock the county leadership.

At the burial, Outa maintained he would not be distracted from performing his senatorial duties.

“We all know all the leaders who were in the other camp (former Governor Jack Ranguma allies) and did not root for the election of Nyong’o. Please keep off this government because we will not allow you to harvest where you did not sow,” said Outa.

Also present at the funeral were Ranguma, Nyando MP Jared Okello and Nominated Senator Rose Nyamunga.