Siaya governor, James Orengo has challenged Kenyans not to fear demanding for accountability from their president or governor, saying that the era when office holders were treated like monarchs were long gone.

He at the same time faulted the re-emerging trend where leaders are forced to literary beg the president for development projects in their areas during public forums, adding that this was against the spirit of the new constitution.

According to Orengo, those trying to instil fear on Kenyans who keep on demanding accountability from the president were dragging the country back.

“If you continue to behave as if the president, even the governor, is a superior human being, then we are not a republic. We are not a truly democratic and free nation” said Orengo.

He was addressing the public who turned up at the county headquarters to witness the swearing in of new county executive committee members.

Orengo said the constitution was clear on how both levels of government are supposed to work and guards against road side declarations.

He pointed out that Kenyans must be keen to follow up on numerous projects that they are being promised and check whether they are captured in the budgets.

“If you want to know that a road is coming to your ward or village, look at the budget that goes through the county assembly. The same applies to the national government” he said adding that the government operates on a programme-based budget that has no room for empty promises.

“Even with the promises that we have been given in Siaya, you better look at the national budget- whether what you have been promised is in the budget” he said adding “you may be promised a road for sh. 5 billion but when you go to the budget, there is only sh. 200 million set aside”.

Orengo further cautioned the public against being hoodwinked that Nyanza was benefitting a lot from the broad-based government compared to other areas, saying that figures and data were speaking contrary.

“I want you to take every parameter, roads, health centres or funds going to urban development. Take a county from anywhere, say central region and compare to counties in Nyanza. You will find that it is a big myth” said governor Orengo.

The governor who leads the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Democratic Movement party told Kenyans to be prepared for a big change next year.

“Some of us who believe in free and democratic Kenya are going to bring that change,” he said.