LREB CEO Wanga appointed Kisumu City Manager

Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) CEO Abala Wanga is the new Kisumu City Manager.

Wanga’s appointment follows expiry of former City Manager Doris Ombara’s five-year tenure that ended last month.

In a letter to Wanga and signed by County Public Service Board Secretary Hesbon Hongo on September 25, Wanga will hold the position for an initial six months on acting capacity, before his appointment can be affirmed.

“I wish to convey the decision of the Kisumu County Public Service Board that you have been appointed as the Acting City Manager in the city of Kisumu with effect from the date of this letter. The appointment will be for a period of six months or until the position is substantially filled, whichever comes first,” the letter read.

The letter came barely two days after the County Public Service Board advertised the position in the daily newspapers. In the advert signed by Hongo, the deadline for applications was set for October 8.

Wanga, a close ally of Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, has been steering the establishment of Lakefront Development, which is a programme aimed at commercialising the abandoned shores of Lake Victoria, even as he serves as the CEO of LREB, one of the regional economic blocs in the country, bringing together 14 counties from Nyanza, Western and parts of Rift Valley.

.
Keep Reading
Lake region bloc abandons plans to establish Sh2.8b bank 9 years later

He has also served as political adviser to the governor. His appointment as city manager puts him in the frontline to prepare Kisumu for the Africities Conference scheduled for November 4, 2021, set to be hosted in the lakeside city.

Yesterday, Wanga said he was up to the task, adding despite holding the office in an acting capacity, he was eligible and qualified to become the substantive city manager.

“I am coming in at a time refurbishment of Kisumu Port is complete and is set to be operationalised. The Lakefront Development is also at advanced stages, and preparations for the Africities Conference is also in top gear, so there is no time to waste,” said the Strathmore University Management graduate.