Obado dismisses succession debate, says he is working on legacy

Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho during a fund-drive function at Nyabisawa Girls Secondary School, Migori County. [Standard]

Migori Governor Okoth Obado has termed as propaganda reports that he has settled on a candidate who will succeed him in the 2022 election.

Speaking to Standard Digital on phone, the governor said he was busy working on his legacy and had no time to discuss who will become Migori Governor.

The reports emerged after a meeting between the governor and two former MPs Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike) and John Kobado (Uriri) at his Rapogi home last week.

The governor admitted the two leaders visited him but said succession politics was never part of the agenda.

“I meet almost all leaders in Migori to discuss issues affecting our people and how best we can resolve them, not who will become governor in 2022, that will be decided by the people, not Obado,” he said.

"Some schools had organised an entertainment for me and the leaders joined us, there was nothing political in it."

When asked about the meeting, Anyanga has remained coy, saying they talked about development matters.

The former Nyatike MP who has declared his interest in the seat has of late become one of the fiercest defenders of the governor against political attacks.

Anyanga recently cautioned leaders against using lies to discredit the county boss and instead urged elected leaders to unite in serving the people.

"As Migori leaders we must stand with our governor. We will not allow leaders to abuse the governor in political forums," said Mr Anyanga.

However, leaders allied to Senator Ochilo Ayacko's cam have said those defending Obado are playing sycophantic politics to get the governor's' attention.

“Those eying the Migori governor seat have started playing politics of sycophancy by defending Obado to so that he can endorse them,” he said adding that they will not keep quiet when the county resources are being mismanaged."

Ayacko however said no one is abusing Obado, what they do is to ensure equitable distribution of resources.

“Anyone who claims that we are abusing Obado should table the evidence where Ayacko has ever insulted anyone,” Ayacko said during a funds drive.

Apart from Anyanga and Ayacko, the other leaders who are reportedly eyeing Obado's seat include former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.