Publication date: April 27, 2024 03:31 (EAT)
Migori Senator Eddie Okech speaks at a past event.Photo | Courtesy
Migori state senator Eddie Okech defended his apparent absence from the county, saying the job of a lawmaker is based in parliament.
Mr. Okech said many people who have asked him why he is not seen frequently in the county still do not understand the senator's role.
He said he has continued to do his job, adding that during his year and a half in office, he has been able to bring more funds to Migori County, but is still struggling to bring in more funds. .
The senator said the previous Migori county government, led by former Governor Okoth Obado, received an annual budget of Sh8 billion, but now they can fight for a higher allocation and the county has a budget close to Sh1.2 billion. He said he has received. a billion.
“I always have to be at the center of where money is distributed. Even yesterday, when revenue distribution was being done at the airport on my way back to Kenya, I made a phone call to get funds to Migori County. “I had to take a break,” he said.
“When Obado left, this county was getting 8 billion shillings. Now, fighting for us, I am getting close to 12 billion shillings. So the senator’s job is village politics. It's not about getting involved.”
Oketch said it will be difficult to get more funding for Migori County as Kenya's Kwanzaa government is said to be favoring areas that overwhelmingly voted for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the 2022 elections. said.
He began appealing to Migori County's elected leaders to halt early campaigning and focus on serving the people who voted them into office.
Mr Oketch said leaders must put aside their early political ambitions and support each other for the benefit of the people of Migori County as early campaigning would hinder development.
