Senator Mandago publicly trades barbs with Governor Bii over county employees

Eldoret,

Thursday, November 23, 2023

KNA by Kiptanui Cherono

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has clashed with his predecessor Jackson Mandago whom he accuses of holding night meetings with a section of staff to undermine his administration.

The two leaders exchanged harsh criticism in public during the commissioning of mobile grain dryers by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi at the Ziwa Cereals and Produce Board, NCPB depot. 

Mandago, the current Uasin Gishu Senator fired the first salvo accusing Governor Bii that his ‘people’ whom he has employed were harassing county employees who were hired during his 10-year tenure.

“Those I employed during my time are sons and daughters of Uasin Gishu County. The tendency by some of the people whom you employed to chase them around because they are associated with the Mandago regime should stop. County employees are equal. None is more important than the other,” fumed Mandago. 

The Senator called for unity among all leaders in the county saying it was time to work and serve the residents instead of politicking, “the politics should wait until 2027. It is time to work for the electorate,” he stressed. 

When he took the podium, Governor Bii hit back at Mandago challenging him to explain the agenda of the alleged night meetings he holds with some of the county employees associated with his regime. 

Bii accused the Senator of trying to undermine his administration claiming that some of the staff hired during Mandago’s time were hell-bent on sabotaging development activities to portray him as unfit to govern. 

“Sometimes I wonder why development programs I have assigned are not moving forward, only to realize some employees are deliberately sabotaging. This is insubordination,” charged Bii, aka ‘Koti moja’.

Governor Bii demanded that leaders must respect one another, “respect is paramount, there is no need for malice and depending on hearsay to malign other leaders,” he added.

 He claimed Mandago was looking to be the kingpin in Uasin Gishu which he said was not relevant at the moment.

He, however, said there was a need for leaders in the county to call for a joint meeting to iron out their differences and resolve to work for the residents for the remaining period before the 2027 elections.

Courtesy; KNA