Why i am working with Obado, despite campaigning for Ayacko in last polls- Awendo MP Walter

Migori senator Ochillo Ayacko, Migori governor Okoth Obado and Awendo MP Walter Owino

By MN Reporter

In the heated 2017 Migori governor campaigns that pitied governor Okoth Obado and senator Ochillo Ayacko, the current Awendo MP Walter Owino was right in the mix.

Apart from campaigning to unseat Jared Kopiyo, Awol (as he is commonly known) also used his personal resources to campaign for Ayacko’s bid which brought him at loggerhead with Obado.

But recently, Walter has warmed up to Obado which he insisted it is meant to spur development for his constituents.

“My working closely with Obado despite our earlier political differences is strategic in nature and it is for the sake of development in Awendo constituency,” Owino said.

He said while earlier they were not in speaking terms with the governor, they have meant bridges. “which has seen several development projects from national government get seamless progression with partnership with the county government,”

“Several people have attacked my closeness with Obado, because i was among Ayacko’s chief campaigners. But this move has no political undertones if not to aid Awendo residents,” he said.

He was speaking on Thursday at Dede Market in his constituency when he launched a Sh70million market funded by the World Bank which when completed will have a boundary wall for safety, a borehole for water, ablution block and water tanks..

The legislator said through his close relationship with the governor, they managed to get extra land to build the new market though county government donation and buying from locals.

“Markets are devolved, and were we not in any speaking terms with Obado the land donations could have stalled the entire project,” he said.

He added that the same cosy relation helped in acquiring seven acres of land next to Awendo sub-county hospital to help build the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) which will start admitting students later this year.

“This is the same way that rolling out of ongoing Sh516million World Bank project in Awendo town which is also running concurrently in Migori and Rongo towns was smooth, now Awendo is shinning,” he said..

“As a national leaders once I secure development projects from the national government, I have to seek the governor help in ensuring they run smoothly like the KMTC campus couldn’t be built if the and was never donated,” he said.

Owino said once elected, leaders should work closely  for sake of development and bury off their political differences.