Siaya is on the Right Development Track — Says Senator Oburu Oginga

By Eric Juma.

Siaya is progressing well in terms of development.

According to Senator Oburu Oginga, the development initiated by the Siaya County Government for the past one-and-half year is transforming lives of the residents.

“We have held a meeting with the County leadership today and learnt that departments were doing marvelous jobs. We have already got reports and details of the projects undertaken by the Nyalore administration and will move to the ground to establish their progress,” said Dr. Oburu Oginga.

The KES 60 million Siriwo rice mill is one of the many projects that has been enlisted for inspection.

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Oburu who met Governor Orengo at his office on Monday 18 March 2024 said he was not in the county for whitchunting neither was he out to frustrate ongoing works, but to work with Governor Orengo to set up mechanisms that will see public resources are spent prudently.

The Senator said his office was here to initiate a long-term engagement that would see gaps or issues inhibiting devolution are sorted out.

“We have agreed on certain issues we shall work on comprehensively for the benefit of Siaya people,” said Oburu, adding “We are going to diligently monitor projects funded by the County Government of Siaya.”

He also said: “We are here for accountability purposes and our discussions has extended to establishment of frameworks that will help us determine whether the residents are getting the value of their taxes.”

Dr. Ng’onga Molo Oburu Oginga is the first Senator on record to utilize the Senate kitty meant for oversight.

Oburu revealed that they (Senators) have been funded by the state to undertake oversight roles in counties.

He added that he was in Siaya to check how the funds had been spent and whether interests of the public are prioritized.

Dr. Oburu is the first senator in Kenya to hold a meeting with the County Executive from within his jurisdiction since the funds were availed by government.

On his part Governor Orengo promised to run an open-house policy saying: “It’s clear from the Constitution that the Senate protects Counties and their governments. We cannot do well as a County if we do not have an open and candid, accountable and transparent relationship with the Senate office. As per the Constitution we have undertaken to be provided with information and be well engaged so that representation can be effected adequately and our share of revenue including the conditional grant can be contested on basis of facts. Senator Oburu and I have given an undertaking that we should not hide anything, we shall avail all information for the oversight role to be performed effectively. I will not hesitate to give it out for it will help return the county on track,” said Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo.

On the sidelines of the meeting Senator Oburu dismissed speculation on his health saying he was hale and hearty as he has never been before.