Siaya,
Thursday, March 14, 2024
KNA by Philip Onyango
A member of the Siaya county assembly has accused governor, James Orengo of downgrading his national political credentials by playing partisan politics during the launch of economic stimulus package market projects in Gem constituency.
Brian Ochieng Anyango, the MCA for South Gem ward is alleging that the governor has chosen to politicize development projects by ignoring elected grassroots leaders and instead inviting politicians from neighboring constituencies just because some of them have chosen to work together with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government.
Speaking at Akala market shortly after the governor handed over the site for the proposed modern market to a contractor, Anyango said he received an official invite from the governor’s office to attend the function and even arrived early for the occasion.
“To my surprise, the governor never recognized me, and yet I am the elected MCA here,” he said adding “What surprised me even more is that the governor invited a colleague from a different ward to speak”. Anyango told Orengo to stop politicizing development, adding that he was elected to serve all Siaya residents no matter their political affiliation.
Earlier, tension was high at Akala market when the governor arrived for the occasion as groups of security men and youths carefully positioned themselves after word went around that the event could be interrupted by some leaders who are allegedly opposed to the governor.
This forced Orengo to hurriedly address the congregation where he took charge of the programme, and delivered his speech before inviting Siaya township ward MCA who is also the chairman of the county assembly lands committee, Obiero Otare to address the public.
Orengo, in his speech, called on the contractor to ensure that the locals were given priority in employment opportunities.
The governor further called on the contractor to ensure the project was completed within the six months stipulated in the contract, adding that the public expected quality job.
Orengo has, for the last two days, presided over the launch of construction of seven markets spread across the county to the tune of Sh. 350 million.
The markets, to be constructed through the national government’s state department of housing, include Bar Ober and Luhano in Ugenya, Riat Kolemo, Aram and Luanda Kotieno in Rarieda, Ugunja and Sidindi in Ugunja and Usenge in Bondo Sub County.
Each of the markets will be constructed for Sh. 50 million and will take six months to complete.
Courtesy; KNA
