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Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has denied claims of rampant corruption in his government and asked rivals to let him work for residents.

Sang on Friday, June 9, 2023, told off Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei over the graft claims in his government particularly in the health sector.

Senator Cherargei while making his address in the Senate claimed that the Nandi County government has lagged behind on matters of health and called on the national government to take over health functions from counties.

But in a quick rejoinder, Governor Sang accused the legislator of playing politics, saying the senator was seeking sympathy votes in his quest for the governor seat in the 2027 elections.

According to the county boss, Cherargei lacks support from the electorate in his bid to succeed him.

“We have done a lot in the health sector in Nandi which actually speaks for itself but Cherargei will never see that. He has been at war with me since I was senator, and later when I was elected governor. It is not new, it is his character,” Sang told People Daily Digital.

Governor Sang said if he was corrupt as alleged investigative agencies would have held him to account.

“Cherargei has also slammed EACC and DCI as corrupt, surely so whom do you want no be the watchdogs on what we are doing? if he cannot believe in independent bodies even the courts yet he claims to be a lawyer then it is a confirmation that what he is saying is just allegations to gain political mileage. But in this 21st century, Nandi residents know the truth and cannot buy cheap propaganda,” Sang added.

Sang noted that his administration achieved a lot in his first five years in office. According to the governor, his re-election offers him another chance to transform Nandi further.

“Elections were just the other day, the senator has started politics again yet we still have over 4 years! I think it is very wrong to mislead the public on a national TV yet the facts speak for themselves. The DCI and the EACC are there to probe the governor and his officers if Cherargei’s words are anything to go by,” the county boss added.

The promulgation of the 2010 constitution saw a number of functions including health devolved.

In his recent State of the Nation address, President William Ruto affirmed his commitment to retain the docket under the devolved units.

“It’s not possible to misuse county public funds as senators easily think. The auditor has not indicated anywhere any lost coin in Nandi. I laud the President for his sentiments that health sectors have been handled very well by county governments and they should be supported. Cherargei’s open lies will not help the leaders as they think,” Sang further said.

He said the county was operating within the law and that those implicated in graft will carry their own cross.

“We have made it clear to the officers in all departments that anyone engaging in theft or graft will pay the price on their own,” Sang said.

A section of youth leaders asked Cherargei to stop making wild allegations that he can not substantiate.

Youth leaders led by Weldon Kirui and Joash Maiyo defended the governor and accused him of seeking political mileage from fake claims.

“It’s only mature that the senator allows the governor to serve his electorates instead of coming up with fake claims hoping to get political mileage,” Kirui stated.