Migori County Governor Ochilo Ayacko now has a tight rope to walk on and must calculate his moves, lest he tips over as the political bromance between him and the area Mps is now at cross roads.
This was evident as Suna West Member of Parliament, Peter Masara openly threw spikes at him at a funeral in Oruba, Migori town, accusing him of politically undermining him.
Masara who addressed mourners criticized Governor Ayacko of being carried off by weak political waves, making him to concentrate on how to maintain his seat in 2027 instead of working for the people.
He accused the Governor for holding weird political meetings to discuss him and plan on how to curtail him on allegations that he will be among the contenders of the county’s top seat in 2027.
“I supported Governor Ayacko without a second thought and I walked with him up to his victory. But instead of delivering to the people, he is busy holding meetings and planning to hold me down,” he said.
Since the onset of devolved government, the Mp has been a strong supporter of Governor Ayacko and was among those who supported him to clinch the Senate seat in the by-elections.
The second term MP said that he is not mad to have supported the Governor for ten years despite persuasions to support Obado, only to become and enemy of the people after being a King maker.
“We cannot allow it to happen again. We cannot allow ourselves to suffer for ten years without developments under the leadership of Obado and do the same for another ten years under someone we fought for.
Peter Masara, Suna West Member of Parliament
He however said that he has not said it anywhere that he wants to contest for the top county seat despite having all the prerequisites for the position, adding that as Suna West, Suna East and Nyatike Sub Counties, they will not allow the position to go past Stella.
“I have never stood anywhere and announced that I want to be the governor’s competitor despite the ongoing rumours, but one thing I know, I have all that it takes to become the Governor.
”In fact, we have said as Suna East, Wests and Nyatike that we won’t allow the seat to go past Stella because we also want it,” he added
While this is not the first time an Mp in Migori County is differing with the Governor, there has been a tug of political war between Ayacko and Uriri Mp, Mark Nyamita with the latter preempting to go to the ballot with the Governor as his opponent.
“I am an ambitious leader and one thing I am sure of is that, nobody wants to remain stagnant in whatever he is doing. Everyone likes progress including myself.
Mark Nyamita, Uriri Member of Parliament
Masara also sent an alarm to the governor, telling him to go and ask the former Migori Constituency Member of Parliament, John Pesa who was the most popular in the area but he managed to cut to size politically.
“My friend John Pesa was the most likened Mp in this area, but I have risen above him. If he (Ayacko) wants to test waters, then here is the immediate reference.
He openly regreted having supported the governor by apologizing to John Pesa, saying that they will have to live with the consequences of the decisions they made, however disastrous.
The difference btween the two leaders was also evident during the visit by ODM party leader, Raila Odinga when hi visited Suna West and was hosted by Peter Masara.
Masara loudly called the county employees to stop brewing enemity between the county administration and the electorates because they cannot deliver to them what was promised by Ayacko during electioneering period.
“I want to call upon those employees who have been in the previous administration and cannot deliver in this administration too. I want to tell them to tighten their belts for work or else, they step aside for others,” he said.
John Pesa who was also among the mourners and who is a long term friend of the deceased, also echoed the same, alluding the African proverb, “The monkeys, will always carry its tail everywhere however long it is.”
Masara did not stop the attack on the governor when he slammed him for missing the funeral despite being invited and further failing to contribute a cent to condole with the voter.
During the commissioning of Nyamotambe Water Project in Kuria, the governor accused some leaders for creating enemity between him and the national government, which has since been slowing service delivery in the County.
Ayacko was however rescued by Mercy Okwanyo, CEC for Public Service Management and Devolution who represented the governor at the funeral.
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