Orengo Spearheads Relief Mission for River Yala Flood Victims

Photos courtesy of Samson Wire, Directorate of Public Communication, County Government of Siaya

True to his manifesto of leading from the front, Orengo was present in-person to condole with the family of Mzee Thomas Ondijo who lost a son in the tragedy. Other families lost livestock and had their farms overrun by the deluge of water which ran amok when River Yala burst its banks.

Orengo said the time for paying lip service was over and his government will embark on finding a lasting solution to the perennial flooding issue in Alego-Usonga and Yimbo localities.

Governor Orengo donated a variety of foodstuff and farm inputs to the affected families.

Present during the exercise was CECM Governance Administration and ICT Agunda Ochanda, his Chief Officer Walter Okelo, Director for Diaster Management Francis Aola, and the Director of Public Communications Chrispine Omondi.

Also present was area Member of County Assembly Francis Otiato, Bondo sub-County Administrator Vincent Kanyagoda and other local leaders.

The family of the bereaved led by Mzee Thomas Ondijo was full of gratitude to the governor and his team.

” It’s true I’ve lost a son in the tragedy and that’s irreplaceable. However, am extremely grateful to Governor Orengo and his team for their timely response to our tragedy. I can assure you his concern has made the burden and grief weigh lightly on our shoulders. We will never forget this true gesture of leadership,” said Mzee Thomas Ondijo.

Others who received packets of certified seeds, medicines, relief food and a variety of farm inputs were equally full of praise for the Governor’s speedy response to the catastrophe.

The residents were touched that with such a tight schedule (the governor will be presiding over numerous milestone events lined up this December), Orengo still found the time to appear in-person at the site of the tragedy.

In related news, Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo on Friday held talks with FLLoCA National Coordinator Pater Ondhengo and the Program Task Team Leader from the World Bank, Muratha Kinuthia.

The meeting held in the Governor’s boardroom also brought together FLLoCA program delegation from Nairobi and County government heads from line ministries.

Present during the talks were CECM Governance Administration and ICT, Agunda Ochanda, CECM Environment Irrigation Climate Change, Jackline Oduol, Chief Officer Water, Environment and Natural Resources, Michael Oliech, Directors, Gabriel Oduong and his counterpart from Public Communications Chrispine Omondi.

The team deliberated on the status and implementation of the Program and the ongoing 22 county projects within the thirty Wards.

Thereafter Governor Orengo led the delegation to a site visit at Tatro Fish farming project in Yala Township Ward.

Siaya is poised to host the Piny Luo Cultural Festival at Migwena stadium on 30th and 31st December followed by the official opening of the 20,000-seater Siaya County Stadium on 1st of January.

Top: state-of-the-art Siaya County Stadium and bottom, Governor Orengo receives a cheque of KES 1,000,000 towards the Piny Luo Cultural Festival from the Siaya Branch Manager of Cooperative Bank, Nelson Otieno.