County nominees queried over agenda in vetting

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Baringo County Assembly members put to task nominees to the Executive Committee over their strategies once they assume office.

Nominees were particularly asked how they plan to address issues of  historical land injustices and housing problems in the region.

Four nominees who appeared before the vetting panel chaired by Speaker William Kamket acknowledged the county faced numerous challenges but were confident that they were equal to the task.

Those who appeared before the panel yesterday included Mr Wesley Keitany (Industrialisation, Commerce, Tourism and Enterprise Development), Mrs Lilian Sadala (Land, Housing, and Urban Planning), Edwin Riamangura (Youth, Gender, Labour and Social Services) and Job Kibei Tomno (Water and Irrigation).

Mrs Sadala said she would encourage investors to develop affordable houses in the county in a bid to address the issue.

“Housing is a serious challenge in Baringo County; we need to put up decent houses for residents and investors in the county. To do this, we must offer incentives to real estate investors,” she said.

She also pledged to form a tribunal to look into historical land injustices along community borders, which has sparked conflicts over the years.

Industrialization nominee Mr Keitany told the vetting team that he would market Baringo as a tourism destination in the country.

He said the county is endowed with lakes, caves and the rich culture of communities, which is yet to be fully utilised for tourism.

Keitany also said he will focus on domestic tourism which he says comprises of over 6million tourists touring various destinations in the county annually. Other nominees who have already been vetted by the committee include David Kipchumba Sirma (County Treasury), Caroline Lentupuru (Environment and Natural Resources) and Dr Andrew Kwonyike (Transport and Infrastructure).