Ruto Vows to Complete Construction of Siaya Stadium As Kitara FC hold Mighty Gor to Goalless Draw

Orengo said that only open-boarder trade will enhance trade among East African Community residents.

The Siaya Governor was speaking at the inauguration of the 20,000-seating capacity, ultramodern Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya.

Those in attendance included former Premier Raila Amollo Odinga, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and Kenyan president Dr William Samoei Ruto.

Governor Orengo (in blue flower shirt) was host to presidents Ruto, Museveni and former premier Raila Amollo Odinga. Photos: Directorate of Public Communication, County Government of Siaya

“The time has come for us to have open-border trade in East Africa and I want to appeal to President Museveni to allow Kenyans and Ugandans to actualise this”, said the plain-spoken Orengo.

The idea was welcomed by former Premier Raila Amollo Odinga and President Dr William Samoei Ruto.

Raila said that immigration and trade will enhance unity of Africans.

“The Inter-African trade is only at 15 percent while European and Asian trade stand at 70 percent and 60 percent, respectively.”

Raila further revealed that Africa trades more with the rest of the world than it does with itself; something that needs to be be corrected, urgently. He promised to make reparations on this if elected as Chair of the African Union Commission.

He also called for opening of the boarders to allow people to travel and procure goods in the neighbouring countries, throughout the continent.

While making reference to the Piny Luo Cultural event, President Ruto said that culture has the force of building bonds and unity among East Africans.

“We must use the artificial boundaries that exists not as roadblocks but stepping stones,” said the Kenyan Head of State.

Ruto also urged the residents of East Africa not to use the roadblocks as hurdles but as bridges for the people to transport goods and services across the borders.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura was among the big array of distinguished guests who turned up for the Piny Luo Cultural Festival and the grand opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya. Photos: Directorate of Public Communication, County Government of Siaya

He, surprisingly, announced that he has already gazetted Ramogi Hill as a National heritage and this brings the number of cultural heritages in Siaya county to two.

The two national cultural sites in Siaya County now are Ramogi Hill Forest Reserve and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum.

“The government is assessing seven historical and cultural sites in Siaya to be gazetted and this includes cell blocks at Oyamo Island, the Paramount Chief Odera Akango office, Nomia Church, Owiny Sigoma heritage complex, Mageta Island Maumau detention Camp and Migwena Cultural grounds,” said President Ruto.

Ruto, received a loud round of applause, when he announced that his government is set to establish a KES 100 million fish landing site at Wich Lum beach in Bondo sub-County.

Ruto also vowed to complete the remaining portions of Siaya stadium. Speaking jocularly, Dr. Ruto said the stadium had been constructed under two governors and it was now his duty to take over and complete what they had started.

“The Stadium project was started by ex-Governor Cornel Rasanga and fist phase is completed by Governor James Orengo the button should now be passed on to me and as the Head of State I will now complete!” the president announced amid ululation.

Meanwhile, underdogs Kitara FC from Uganda held the mighty Gor Mahia to a goalless draw in the inaugural match at the new Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium.

Following the scoring drought the teams went for a penalty shootout where Gor trounced the Ugandan guests narrowly by a 9—8 margin.