Migori residents now say that the continuous detention of Governor Obado has led to delayed service delivery as some of the county staff now skip work.
Mr Obado is being held at Industrial Area Remand Prison in Nairobi County, amid investigations into the murder of 26-year-old Rongo University student Sharon Otieno, who was his girlfriend.
Offices other than those of public health have remained closed with the workers only making technical appearances. The lands, accounts, roads and water departments as the most affected. The affected offices are just manned by clerical officers and in some cases secretaries who cannot fully sort out the problems faced by the county residents.
“I have been frequenting the lands department for assistance but every time I visit the offices, I find no one to offer substantial services. I am usually told by secretaries to come back the following day,” a resident said.
Another said: “Since the day the governor was linked to the murder, people are rarely in offices. Many officials do not report so residents are feeling the pinch.”
Despite the Lands, Physical Planning and Housing executive, Mr Elijah Odhiambo assuring residents that county operations will continue uninterrupted, residents have continued to face some kind of go-slow from the county officials.
Some county officials who are close allies with the embattled governor have pitched tent in Nairobi in a show of solidarity.
It has also been said that campaigns for next Monday’s senator by-election have also affected service delivery since many of the workers have been involved.
Migori staff are divided when it comes to key candidates, with some supporting Ochilo Ayacko of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and others backing Mr Obado’s choice, Eddy Oketch. Despite the charges he is facing, Mr Obado’s shadow has featured in the senator race.
Before his woes started, he vehemently opposed ODM’s move to hand Mr Ayacko a direct ticket, terming it undemocratic. He had vowed to campaign against the candidate and had initially supported former Rongo Member of Parliament Dalmas Otieno who withdrew from the race to take up a job at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Migori county has since quelled public concern about poor services in the absence of Governor Obado. County spokesman Nicholas Anyuor said that All the offices are operating and there is no laxity as has been reported. “People are in office … even the deputy governor, who is acting as the head of the executive.”
Deputy Governor Nelson Mahanga Mwita has officially assumed the role of running the affairs of the county. It is said that Mr Mwita is being assisted by County Secretary Christopher Rusana. Mr Obado was arraigned in court last Monday after spending three days at Gigiri police station following his arrest.
On Thursday that week, he was denied bail and an order was issued for him to spend 10 days at Industrial Area Remand Prison ahead of arraignment on October 8. The governor is currently admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital after contracting Malaria while in Remand.