Assembly finally endorses Rasanga’s nominee list

By LAWRENCE ALURU

Siaya, Kenya: Siaya County assembly members have finally endorsed the names of executive committee members presented by Governor Cornel Rasanga.

The members passed the motion tabled by Usonga Ward Representative Sylvester Madialo, who argued that Rasanga needed the team so he could move the county forward.

Among names passed are Ezekiel Abang (Lands, Physical Planning, Survey and Housing), Cleophas Ombogo (Finance, Planning and Vision 2030) and Ms Sarah Ondego (Water and Irrigation).

Others are Ms Christine Akinyi (Education, Youth Affairs, Gender and Social Services), Eng Bernard Arum (Public Works, Roads Transport and Communication), Dr Sylvester Ochieng (Health Services), Phelgona Ooko (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries) and Francis Ngesa (Trade, Industry, Labour and Co-operative Development).

The list passed by the assembly contained the same names that had been approved by the House before the High Court nullified Rasanga’s March 4 victory.

The assembly unanimously endorsed the list of Siaya County executive committee members tabled before the house by the governor for debate and vetting.

The vetting committee had done its part when it passed all the names, according to the Constitution.

After Rasanga’s election, Transition Authority +chairman had written a letter asking the new governor to follow the law.

Vetting of the county executive members is part of the requirement of the Constitution’s Section 179 Clause B that compels a governor who has been re-elected into office to carry out fresh nominations.

Article 179 (7) of the supreme law says if a vacancy arises in the office of the county governor, members of the county executive committee shall cease to hold office.