Agriculture, health top agenda as Nyanza governors take oath

County chiefs in Nyanza strolled into office with a bag of promises to transform the economic and social sphere of the devolved units as they took an oath of office on Thursday.

The promises contained in their manifestos dominated their speeches as they reiterated their plans to inject new blood in performance, accountability and service delivery to residents.

Revamping the agricultural sector, improving roads, streamlining services, improving the health sector, initiating new projects and completing stalled projects top the list of what the new county bosses have promised residents.

Governors Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), Simba Arati (Kisii), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira) pledged to transform the counties as they were sworn into office yesterday in events attended by thousands of residents.

In Kisii, Arati appealed to residents to join his transformation development train and promised sweeping changes to transform the county.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati displays his swearing-in certificate at Gusii Stadium on August 25, 2022. [Sammy Omingpo,Standard]

He outlined plans to revamp the health sector and improve what he described as accountability in the devolved unit to ensure his administration transforms the lives of residents.

"It did not end at the ballot, we made a covenant to implement our social plan and economic development," said Arati at the Gusii Stadium where he was sworn in by Justice Teresia Mumbi.

He said his administration would prioritise accountability in the health sector to help ensure that it serves the people.

"Health can be improved if those responsible for delivering services are held accountable. I will provide Simba Shelter Health Scheme to help the poor with housing and improved healthcare," he said.

On education, Arati said his focus would be to ensure construction of several Early Childhood Development (ECDE) centres is completed as well as issue bursaries for needy students.

In agriculture, Arati said Kisii had been struggling to regain its lost glory in producing agricultural produce.

He said he would improve human resource, tendering process, and procurement: "We will not hesitate to punish those who looted public funds; efficiency can only be achieved if we have a disciplined workforce. We will reprimand those who will want to derail the change we require."

Outgoing Governor James Ongwa said politics was over and time had come to move on for the benefit of Kisii residents.

Ongwae said he had institutionalised the county for takeoff by the next governor. "I saw how you campaigned and that is a clear indication of the zeal you have to take over the mantle of leadership," he told the new governor.

Ongwae pointed out pending development projects, including the construction of the Sh1.2 billion cancer center. He said this would be the largest cancer centre in Western region.

"I had my own weaknesses but I believe I have done my best. Politics aside, the incoming governor is my friend and I will support him towards delivering his mandate," he said.

Outgoing Senator Prof Sam Ongeri called on Kisii leaders to put aside political differences and implement the county's development agenda.

In Migori, Governor Ochillo Ayacko pledged to transform the county and put it on a positive economic trajectory.

Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko. [Courtesy, Twitter]

Ayacko pledged to implement his manifesto and revamp key sectors, including agriculture and business as well as education.

"They were not just campaign tools. We are going to try the untried," Ayacko said at the Migori stadium.

He was sworn into office by justice Kiarie Waweru.

He promised to enhance food production by introducing new cash crops, processing crops the county produces, subsidised farm inputs and leverage technology to increase agriculture and implement Migori's master plan.

Other issues addressed in the manifestos include providing access to clean and safe drinking water by ensuring urban centres in the county have access to piped water, constructing boreholes, drilling programms for public institutions and rehabilitation of river banks.

Additionally, he promised to build a health facility with functional specialised treatment units, adequate drugs and qualified personnel, construct modern markets, employ more ECD teachers and ensure governor scholarship reaches deserving learners.

Ayacko said he would empower the youth, women and persons living with disabilities by reducing levies that are charged and affirmative action in government and ensure 30 per cent of jobs are given to the youth and persons living with disabilities.

In Siaya, Governor James Orengo and his deputy William Oduol took oath of office as the new governor and deputy, respectively, and promised rapid changes to transform the county.

Outgoing Migori Governor Cornel Rasanga hands over instruments of power to James Orengo after being sworn in at KMTC grounds on August 25, 2022. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

In his maiden speech at the Siaya Kenya Medical Training College, Orengo, who was handed the instruments of power by the outgoing governor Cornel Rasanga, said he was ready to deliver their election promises. He was sworn into office by Justice Jackline Kamau.

"The campaigns are over and we're getting down to work," said Orengo.

Orengo, who promised to ensure good governance, said women would be at the centre of power in his administration.

"Women worked hard and I can assure them that the responsibility of performance now lies with us," he said, adding that they also have a responsibility to create jobs for the youth in the county.

He said they would be accountable to the people of Siaya by holding weekly meetings with specific groups for performance audit.

"I will be with you in the villages to ensure that we understand and address the issues affecting you," said Orengo.

In Kisumu, Prof Nyong'o, who is serving his second term, promised to continue with his development agenda for the devolved unit.

Peter Anyang Nyong'o displays a swearing-in certificate on August 25, 2022. [Michael Mute, Standard]

"We must build for the future. We must build our county of Kisumu and our nation of Kenya not simply for our immediate gratification but as an inheritance for our children and grandchildren," he said.

Nyong'o, who was speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, when he was sworn into office by Justice William Musyoka, said this was the vision that inspired him in his first-term during the past five years.

In Homa Bay, Gladys Wanga, the first female governor in Nyanza region, vowed to prioritise health, business and stalled projects in the county. She also pledged to transform the agricultural sector.

Gladys Wanga takes the oath of office as Homabay Governor on August 25, 2022. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Wanga promised to weed out ghost workers to reduce the county's wage bill. She was speaking at the Homa Bay stadium.

[Report by Eric Abuga, Anne Atieno, Olivia Odhiambo, James Omoro, Stanley Ongwae and Isaiah Gwengi]