Arnold Ageta
A section of Gusii leaders have criticized Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo for what they call laxity in serving the people of Nyamira, saying he must pave the way for new leadership.
What looks like a new campaign to remove Nyaribo, after two failed attempts to impeach him, has brought together some leaders who are now calling for his removal for failing to join President William Ruto’s broad-based government.
Speaking at Viongozi Senta in Bonyamatuta Ward of West Mugirango, one leader after another claimed Nyaribo has failed to serve the people of Nyamira, who, they say, are missing out on the “national cake” served at State House.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka asked the governor to join the “broad-based bandwagon” to reap government benefits for the people of Nyamira.
The MP defended his own move of joining the government, stating it has led to the construction of the Bondeni–Magombo road.
“The people of West Mugirango will not suffer in the name of appeasing a few individuals who do not care about the welfare of the people,” Mogaka said. “I want development to be realized and felt in my constituency, which is the reason why I joined Ruto’s government.”
Mogaka claimed that in the short time he has been with the government, he has been awarded the Bondeni–Magombo road, an allocation of KES 500 million for rural electrification, the Sironga stadium, and a major campus for the proposed Nyamira University at Sironga.
“The people of West Mugirango must benefit from this parliamentary seat during my leadership, and I am committed to serving you regardless of who you voted for,” he announced.
Mr. Mogaka added that he is currently the only one in the county who is supporting President Ruto, despite the fact that he did not support or vote for him in the last general election.
He said he is now supporting Ruto because Raila Odinga, the one he supported and campaigned for in the 2022 elections, has joined President Ruto and is now reaping significant benefits for his Luo Nyanza region.
“I supported Raila Odinga, but where is he now? Is he not in the government?” MP Mogaka asked. “Raila is now receiving development projects left, right, and center for his Luo Nyanza region, and you want me to pull out of the broad-based government?”
He concluded by saying that even if some leaders claim Ruto is bad, the development projects will not be bad because they are benefiting the people who need them most.
His sentiments were supported by the Nyamira County Women Representative, Jerusha Momanyi, who said that she and Stephen Mogaka are the only ones in the county who are in the government and are advancing its agenda.
“In the recent past, we have been mocked for joining the government, and we want to tell you that the government is indeed working for the people,” she announced.
She said the health sector has been transformed through the government’s new Social Health Authority (SHA), which has benefited many patients seeking medical services.
She further claimed that SHA is not working in Nyamira because of the poor leadership being advanced by the current governor, Amos Nyaribo.
“It is worrying that the only county where SHA is not working in the country is Nyamira,” she said. “Patients are forced to pay in Levels 1, 2, and 3 hospitals, where SHA covers all medical fees.”
She also added that the governor has refused to sign for hospital equipment (138 pieces in number) that are lying in Nairobi waiting to be delivered to the county.
“When we visited Health CS Aden Duale, he showed us the equipment lying in the stores because Amos Nyaribo has refused to receive them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nyamira CECM for Health Services, Donald Mogoi, has refuted the claims, saying SHA is fully operational and has asked the political leaders to stop misleading the public.
In his press statement, CECM Mogoi confirmed that SHA is working in all Level 1, 2, and 3 hospitals, which include community dispensaries and health centers within Nyamira County. He added that people have been enjoying free medical services at those levels since 2013.
“None of the facilities charges patients for anything because, through the Primary Health Care Fund, Nyamira has so far received KES 90 million since SHA was established,” the press statement read.
In the statement, Mogoi says that Nyamira County has signed the intergovernmental participatory agreement and that there is no Nyamira equipment lying idle in any facility, either within or outside the county.
“Nyamira County Referral Hospital has a fully functional CT scan machine and a renal unit, which are operational,” Mogoi concluded.
The Viongozi meeting, dubbed the “Kebirigo Declaration,” sought to review the West Mugirango Constituency midterm report to see how far they have come and the way forward. The meeting also reviewed the government’s track record two and a half years later.
“We have managed to do electricity and several other education projects and will endeavor to do more before the first term ends in 2027 for a transformed West Mugirango,” West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka said.
The meeting was also attended by National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro, Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi, Bomachoge Chache MP Alpha Miruka, nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri, and nominated MP Irene Mayaka, among others.
They declared their support for President Ruto’s government and vowed to continue drumming up support for him on his quest for a second term.
