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Newly-elected governors were sworn in yesterday in colourful ceremonies, with a majority warning that they would weed out corruption in their counties.

It was a mix of veterans who have served in senior government positions as well as new faces.

The new governors made lofty promises even though they reached out to their former rivals in their acceptance speeches.

The issue of pending bills featured prominently with governors promising to carry out audits before payment.

Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata, Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) Simba Arati (Kisii) and Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) said they will carry out an audit on pending bills that were not settled by their predecessors.

Speaking after being sworn in at Ihura stadium, Kang’ata said he will only pay the contractors who will be proved to have delivered on their contracts.

“I will write to the Auditor-General to have a thorough audit done on the pending bills and only pay those who have done the work and weed out the ghost contractors,” he said.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati said corrupt public servants will not be spared.

“I ask those who have been looting public funds to apologise. We will forgive you but take you through the courts. Do not be scared if you have not stolen public funds,” Arati said.

Kawira urged residents to be patient with her government, saying she had inherited a huge debt of Sh1.2 billion

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo said his government will be inclusive.

“I am humbly inviting those I was competing with to accept the people’s choice and join me so that we can plan on how to go about development in our county,” he said.

In Nairobi, governor Johnson Sakaja said the time for politics was over.

“We will work with everyone to take the county forward,” Sakaja said.

New Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi pledged to pay debts amounting to Sh7 billion within his first year in office.

“It is not an easy task but I promise to do my best to clear the debts within one year,” said Wamatangi.

He also vowed to crush corruption cartels in the county government.

In Vihiga, governor Wilber Ottichilo said his administration will not entertain corruption. “I will form an internal anti-corruption unit that will deal with the vice,” said Ottichilo.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku and Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok) took the instruments of power in colourful ceremonies in the Maa counties. Lenku, who will serve a second term, promised to serve all residents indiscriminately.

“I am more focused to finish pending development projects and unite the people of Kajiado,” said Lenku.

Olive branch

In Narok, it was pomp and colour at William ole Ntimama Stadium as Ole Ntutu took the oath as the second governor, taking over from Samuel Tunai.

“I will sit with health professionals in the different hospitals of our county and develop a strategy to make sure there are enough drugs in hospitals and patients receive proper services,” said Ntutu.

Nakuru’s Susan Kihika extended an olive branch to her predecessor and his supporters saying she will be a governor for all.

“All to those who voted for me and those who did not, thanks for entrusting me with this position as the governor for Nakuru and the first woman governor for this great county. I want to assure everyone that I will be a governor for all,” she said.

Three newly elected governors of the Northern region were yesterday sworn in for a five-year term with a pledge to fight corruption which they said had denied the region development. They are governors Ahmed Abdullahi Jiir (Wajir), Nadhif Jama (Garissa) and Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera).

They also decried the rate of unemployment and lack of opportunities for the growing youth population.

Laying out his plan for Wajir County residents, Jiir announced the intention of his administration introduce programmes for the youth through job creation and empowerment initiatives.

“We shall endeavour to create employment for the qualified youth, particularly health professionals and ECD teachers, support youth in private enterprises and invest in social programmes to support less privileged youth,” he said.

Jiir also promised to invest heavily in education infrastructures such as classrooms, housing for teachers, laboratories and libraries.

“We will revive the annual bursary fund and increase the location to cater for young populations for young people’s education,” he said.

He also pledged to work with education stakeholders, including the national government to find a lasting solution to the shortage of teachers in primary and secondary schools.

On the ravaging drought, the governor called upon development partners and the national government to intervene and complement the county’s plans in providing basic help to alleviate suffering.

—Reporting by Rebecca Wangari, Alvin Mwangi, Robert Ochoro, Evans Nyakundi, Enock Amukhale, Mathew Ndung’u, Hillary Mageka, Oliver Musembi, Noah Chepleon, Christine Musa, Dorcas Mbatia and George Sayagie