I'll remain yours faithfully Koti Moja — Governor Bii

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has pledged not to change his lifestyle or his easy mingling with residents because of his new status as county boss.

Many new county bosses and elected officials splurge on houses, clothes, cars and become distant from the people who elected them.

Bii, elected on a campaign slogan of Koti Moja, said he will not focus on himself or get drunk with power. He told the opening of the county assembly he will focus on the key challenges affecting the lives of the people. 

‘Koti Moja' (One Coat) was a derogatory term used by some competitors to demean Bii earlier the campaigns because of his simplicity and frequent dressing in a single coat. They suggested he could only afford one. 

Bii turned the insult and mockery into a powerful election slogan that contributed to his victory.

As he presided over the official opening of the assembly, he assured MCAs he would not change his lifestyle but would remain committed to helping residents fight the region's many challenges.

Bii had unsuccessfully run for elections for more than 20 years. He said his success in August was a testament to how hard work can pay off at the end of the day.

“I stand here with knowledge and belief that I represent a dream and aspiration, hope, resilience, hard work and the spirit to never give up,”Bii said.

He said as elected leaders they together represent all residents, including the weak, the poor, the hustlers, the downtrodden, the young, the able and those not able.

“We had many slogans during the elections and you all know that mine was ‘Koti Moja’. I will remain Koti Moja because the task ahead of me and all of us is to focus on the challenges facing our people," Bii said.

He then listed some challenges.

Only 68 per cent of residents are enrolled in NHIF and can’t access healthcare.

The county has a youthful population, 43 per cent 14 years and younger.

He said the doctor to patient ratio in the region stands at about eight doctors for every 10,000 residents.  Twenty-six per cent of residents use untreated water, 46.5 per cent of the population use firewood for cooking and only 63 per cent have access to electricity. 

Bii also said more than 33.9 per cent of the population lives in mud houses, while out of 5,859 kilometres of road in the county, only 410km are built to bitumen standards.

Bii said his administration was committed to implementing his election  manifesto to resolve or reduce most of the problems listed.

(Edited by V. Graham)