Orengo’s Development Record Speaks for Itself — Speaker George Okode

Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo has emphasised the Nyalore administration’s willingness to listen to positive and objective criticism with a view of incorporating feedback to enhance the overall wellbeing of the county.

While addressing Residents of South Gem in Gem Sub-County, Orengo said he positively embraces critics and prompts action that will satisfy the consumers.

“Anybody who tells me the truth in public with regards to the way am running the affairs of the county are not my enemies,” said the Governor.

Orengo who was accompanied by Speaker George Okode, MCA’s Jutus Oguta, Martin Otieno(Lord), Ben Adalla(North Ugenya), Michael Adialla(Uyoma South), Washington Bonyo (North Uyoma), Peter Oduor (Ukwala), Cythia Ndar(Nominated) Dorothy Oinga (Nominated) said it’s normal for challenges to be detected, discussed and solved.

The Governor said his administration has welcomed criticism and advice on where it has done wrong so as to seek improvement.

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Orengo says that his development track record speaks volumes adding that he has also lined up development programs for the next three years that will not only add value on the lives of Siaya people but enhance his track record.

“To avoid harsh judgement of the Public in 2027, every leader will point at the development they have initiated during their term of leadership and am not a worried man because I have touched lives of Siaya people,” said Orengo.

The County boss has invested funds towards completion of the previously stalled Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium which will be launched by President William Ruto on January 2, 2025.

Apart from upgrading Yala, Ugunja market and Rabango-SDA ring roads the Orengo administration has also installed a KES 60 million rice mill at Siriwo in Usonga.

Orengo announced that the KES 68 million Surgical and Maternity Complex at Siaya County Referral Hospital is complete and due for opening.

A team of 25 doctors from Canada will host a surgery camp in Siaya on February 2025 and the facility will be officially launched and shall be used by the medics to run the services.

The Nyalore administration has also planned to escalate cotton production in Siaya county.

Orengo instructed the department for Agriculture to procure cotton ginnery machines to replace the obsolete machines at Madiany ginnery and secure cotton seeds for farmers.

“We are going to revive cotton production in Siaya County and Rarieda will lead in the production,” said Orengo.

Governor Orengo at the same time said he has good development plans for Akala market and was in consultation with National government to upgrade it (Akala) to Town or Municipality status.

Orengo said even if he decides to invests in the road networks of the area people will still question the economic viability of the improved infrastructure so the best thing to do is to first woo investors.

For Akala market to thrive economically he said he will have to convince banks to initiate their branches in the area.

“The presence of banks in a locality opens the area economically and I have been lobbying for banks to open their branches in Akala. In fact, more banks are in Bondo than Siaya town because business thrives in that locality.

Orengo also lauded the Siaya Assembly for enlisting Akala as one of the Centres to benefit from economic stimulus markets.

“I want to thank Siaya County Assembly for approving Akala as one of the markets to benefit from Economic Stimulus market and am happy that its construction is progressing well,” said Orengo adding that once complete, they will decide on deserving traders to take up the spaces in it.

“Priority of the trading spaces will be given to well-known traders at the market,” said Orengo.

Siaya Assembly Speaker George Okode noted that the remarkable development program if executed, will propel Orengo’s re-election bid.

Okode said that contrary to opinion in other quarters Orengo was indeed not letting down the people of Siaya and ODM party adding that his actions and activities touched lives of the electorates hence improving the bonding with the residents.

Okode said it is not enough for politicians to claim that they belong to ODM party without showing what they are doing to improve the lives of the people and Orengo’s actions have proved that he deserves re-election.

“Orengo is not only responding to development issues for Siaya but also the public’s social distresses and that means that he listens to the ‘ground’ and meets their expectations.

“Loyalty to ODM party is measured by serving the people.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by host MCA’s led by Edwin Otieno saying that Orengo is the best bet in 2027.

“For the projects planned by Nyalore Administration not to stall, Orengo must be considered for another term just as was done to Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyongo who is serving his 7th year,” said Washington Booker Bonyo, North Uyoma MCA.