Bomachoge Borabu Member of Parliament (MP) Obadiah Barongo has told off his critics, saying he will concentrate on building schools and boosting development in the constituency instead of engaging in “local politics based on personal vendetta.”
Barongo spoke on Thursday at Kemoreko PFA Comprehensive School during a groundbreaking ceremony to reconstruct the institution and upgrade it into a centre of excellence.
He was flanked by former Members of County Assembly George Bibao and Samuel Onuko of Bokimonge and Boochi Borabu Wards respectively. The two urged the MP to work closely with elders for counsel and to limit political advice from inexperienced youth.
“If you want to succeed, engage elders in your team but use the youth to work on the farm for more production because they are young and energetic,” they said.
Barongo announced that the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) committee will allocate more than Sh12 million to give Kemoreko PFA a facelift and create a conducive learning environment.
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He stressed that reliable water is central to any school upgrade.
“Water is the backbone of any learning institution,” Barongo said. “Without it, sanitation collapses, school feeding programmes stall, and pupils, especially girls, miss class. A school without water cannot be called a centre of excellence. That is why boreholes and water harvesting must be part of every school upgrade we undertake.”
The MP urged the youth to embrace quality education by joining Technical Training Institutes to acquire skills for self-sustenance.
Barongo also defended his development record and asked Kisii Governor Simba Arati to stop “interfering with the affairs of Bomachoge Constituency,” citing their different political affiliations.
“I respect the President of this country. Let the Governor stop blackmailing me before him,” Barongo said.
His remarks were in response to recent criticism by President William Ruto, who accused the MP of abandoning his constituents, leading to stalled development in the area.
During his tour of the constituency, Barongo commissioned classrooms at Nyamesocho Comprehensive School and a Chiefs’ office in Boochi Borabu Ward. He said he is committed to balancing projects across the four wards of Magenche, Bokimonge, Boochi Borabu, and Borabu.
However, residents of Magenche Ward, particularly from Nyabiore and Eberege ‘D’ Sublocation, accused the MP of sidelining them. They said he has failed to follow up on a school bus President Ruto promised St. Mary Nyabiore Girls School, and on the renovation and provision of a borehole at Eberege Secondary School.
Locals said lack of water at Eberege forces students to spend learning hours fetching water from distant streams, hurting performance and hygiene, especially for girls.
“Classrooms without water are not complete,” said one parent. “We lose teaching time, we risk disease, and we discourage our daughters from staying in school. Development must start with water.”
By Enock Okong’o
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