Kenya: Orengo to call unity meeting

Siaya Senator James Orengo has finally agreed to convene a meeting of all elected leaders from the region to end the persistent wrangles among them.

"I expect the leaders to have an open mind if a solution on the current wrangles is to be found," stated Orengo.

The senator, who was speaking on Saturday during the burial of Ken Obura's (Kisumu Central MP) grandmother's burial in Bondo attributed the infighting to the leaders' hardline stances.

Jubilee meddling

Orengo reiterated the need for leaders from county to work as a team to realise development.

"The impact of the huge monies that counties are allocated every year will only be felt if leaders work in harmony. I also encourage public participation in all development endeavours," he said, adding that Siaya residents must also demand to see how the county uses the Sh5.4 billion it is allocated annually.

Last year, Orengo also called on leaders to call a truce on their squabbles, saying the wrangles risked derailing development. He made the appeal following the sacking of three executive committee members and the chief of staff by Governor Cornel Rasanga, a move that angered a section of the county leadership.

Speaking at the same burial, Ugenya MP David Ochieng accused the Jubilee government of interfering in the affairs of independent constitutional institutions.

Mr Ochieng' pointed out that the bodies, which include the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Police Service Commission and Human Rights Commission cannot deliver on their mandates due to meddling by he Government.

Also present at the function were MPs Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), David Ochieng (Ugenya), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda) and host Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) among other guests.