'We asked Raila to let us work with the President'

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Some ODM politicians from Kakamega County are happy after the party allowed them to work with President William Ruto's government.

Led by Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and MPs Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), the leaders said it was unrealistic for ODM leader Raila Odinga to bar them from working with the government of the day.

"We have been piling pressure on Raila to let us work with President Ruto because devolved units receive a paltry 15 per cent in shareable revenue from the National Treasury while 85 per cent remains at the central government. How do you expect counties to meet their financial obligations without us engaging the president? posed Savula.

"We are happy that Raila has yielded to the pressure."

Mr Wangwe said the fact that he was elected on an ODM ticket does not mean he opposes everything the government is doing.

"We must look for away of getting our share from President Ruto's government. I must sit with him so that our Lurambi-Navakholo-Musikoma road can be fixed," said Wangwe.

He said funds have been factored in the budget for the completion of the road, which links Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties whose construction stalled a couple of years ago.

Shinali said they have started reaping the fruits of working with Ruto.

"Kakamega airstrip is now open, the president has made it clear that funds are available to upgrade the facility and make it a fully-fledged airstrip," he said.