Orengo Calls for Overhaul of Security Personnel in Siaya At the Burial of Peter Castro Oloo Aringo

Orengo was addressing mourners at Mulaha village in Central Alego Ward of Siaya County where the remains of the late legislator Peter Oloo Aringo were being laid to rest.

Top: National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula keenly following proceedings, while middle: Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo addressing mourners, and bottom: former Governor Cornell Rasanga Amoth (in white hat) at the burial of Peter Aringo on Saturday 23 November 2024. Photos | Directorate of Communication, Siaya County Government

Orengo said abductions and insecurity thrive on Lake Victoria hampering fishermen from going about their daily duties.

“One of the things that the former education minister championed was bringing to an end arbitrary abductions. If the current security apparatus is unable to protect our fishermen then we will pay homage to the departed by seeing they are transferred,” said Governor Orengo adding that insecurity was a threat with direct implications on the economy.

Unlike on Thursday when he targeted coast guards, the governor now seems to have broadened his scope to include other law enforcement agencies. Without mincing words, he said the Kenyan government was to blame for the abduction in Nairobi of Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kiiza Besigye.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Masika Wetangula reiterated Governor Orengo’s calls by asking the Interior Ministry to end the Lake Victoria crisis.

He said it was a pity that Kenyan fishermen are often molested by Ugandans even when plying their trade within designated Kenyan territorial waters.

“It is high time we responded to the outcry of fishermen that have been abducted while peacefully undertaking their fishing expeditions,” said Wetangula.

On Thursday, during celebrations to mark the World Fisheries Day, Orengo requested Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa to consult those in authority with a view to withdrawing current coast guards at the lake and replace them with a fresh team in order for sanity to be restored.

Wetangula expressly said frustrations of the fishermen on the lake should come to an end.

“Our country should be protected at all costs. Am in agreement with Orengo on Lake Victoria woes. We were with him at Migingo and Ugandan and Kenyan territories are well known, so our boundaries must be respected and protected regardless of whether they are in Budalangi, Samia or Siaya,” said Wetangula.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary James Opiyo Wandayi assured Kenyans that their work stations and homes will be connected to the power grid, soon.

“My responsibility as the CS is to ensure living standards of our people are uplifted and one way of ensuring that, is connecting them to power so that they can run their businesses with ease.”

Wandayi also made an undertaking to be held accountable saying:

“We will do whatever it takes to connect electricity to every part of this country,”

In the same breath, Wandayi appreciated President Dr William Samoei Ruto for appointing him as the CS Energy and urged Kenyans to embrace his leadership to reap bigger fruits.

Wandayi also lauded President Ruto for insight in backing former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission Chairmanship bid.

“Ruto has stood with Raila on his bid and has gone out to an extent of campaigning for him, that is a show of true friendship,” Wandayi said.

Present at the burial were Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Alego-Usonga MP Samuel Atandi , Former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, Former County Council Chairman Aggrey Onyango, Water and Environment Executive Prof Jaqueline Oduol, and former Vice-president Dr. Moody Awuori.

Also present were the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President Eliud Owalo, former CS Raphael Tuju, Kisumu Deputy Governor, Mathew Owili, Members of Parliament past and present from Orange Democratic Party, Roots Party Leader George Wajakoyah among other dignitaries.

Various leaders speaking at the burial asked the current regime to give audience to Kenyans and listen to their cries with regard to the new model of higher education funding, the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), Social Health Authority (SHA) which have all turned out to be a thorn in Kenyans’ flesh.

Senator Osotsi said even Aringo who was behind the transition of the old education system to 8-4-4 managed to fix challenges that came with it and it eventually stabilized.

Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala asked leaders to honor Aringo by ensuring parliament remains independent.

Read more: https://siaya.go.ke