The rising political temperatures in Migori County has brought the administration of Governor Ochilo Ayacko under intense scrutiny, with local leaders raising serious questions regarding ethnic inclusion, resource management, and public service delivery.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita has openly accused the county executive of fostering ethnic exclusion, alleging that luo language has effectively become the dominant working language across public institutions.
According to Nyamita, this creates severe communication barriers and leaves members of the Kuria community feeling marginalized when attempting to access essential public services.
“Kwa sababu kwa ofisi zote watu wanaongea Kijaluo. Watu wanaongea Kijaluo, literally. Ndio the natural language,” Nyamita stated, arguing that Kiswahili should be used to bridge communication gaps between public officers and residents from different communities.
Nyamita pointed out county health facilities as a prime example, describing how a Kuria resident seeking medical treatment encounters staff communicating predominantly in luo language from the security personnel at the entrance to healthcare workers inside.
“Inclusion starts with language,” he emphasized, calling on county employees including those in health facilities within Kuria areas to embrace Kiswahili to accommodate all patients and visitors.
The legislator argued that a shift in administrative culture is necessary, calling for political change in the next general election to address the governance flaws he raised.
Compounding the criticism, North Kadem MCA Samson Obonyo turned the focus onto the county’s education priorities and financial allocation.
Obonyo questioned why Governor Ayacko’s administration halted a scholarship program originally initiated under former Governor Okoth Obado, which sponsored five bright, needy students from each ward.
Obonyo pointed out a stark financial contrast, noting that Obado’s administration sustained the program on an equitable share allocation of approximately KSh 8 billion alongside KSh 400 million in own-source revenue and donor funding.
“Obado was able to offer scholarships to five bright students from each ward. He was able to do that. But with Sh12 billion, we are unable to offer scholarships,” Obonyo questioned. “So tukisema yote yawezekana bila Ochilo, si ni ukweli?”
Deplorable offices
Beyond education, Obonyo raised alarms over neglected working conditions within county offices, particularly those serving areas associated with the Kuria community.
He revealed that the office of Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri and the county’s education department had gone without electricity for about a year, while a lands department office faced a blackout for roughly four months.
“How do you serve the people if you cannot print a document from your office?” Obonyo asked, arguing that hiring residents from a region is meaningless if they are forced to work without basic amenities.
Together, the statements from MP Nyamita and MCA Obonyo raise critical questions about equitable representation, institutional efficiency, and the overall management of public resources under Governor Ayacko’s leadership.
