Forget poll conflicts for people's sake, Nyong'o tells MCAs

Kisumu Governor Prof.Anyang' Nyong'o. [Esther Jeruto, Standard]

Governor Anyang' Nyong'o has called on ward representatives to work with the Executive for the good of the people.

Prof Nyong'o extended an olive branch to those who campaigned against him.

In his first address to the county assembly, the governor said both sides should not disappoint the ODM party and its leader Raila Odinga with petty squabbles.

"Let us work together to make these aspirations to be realities for our people. I'm focusing on one thing this second term, a legacy of development and prosperity for this county," he said.

"My officers are under instructions to work very closely with you and provide you with information you will need for your oversight assignments in good time."

Ephasising for the need to respond to the needs of the people, Prof Nyong'o said agricultural transformation was critical for the growth of the county's economy, which would lead to the reduction of the cost of food.

He said priority will be placed on programmes to ensure food security and good nutrition.

Besides growth of the livestock and fisheries sub-sectors, the Governor said his administration would focus on increasing production and value-addition through agro-processing and boosting household food resilience.

"We have focused on irrigation to help improve food production. One example is the Awach Irrigation Scheme in Nyando sub-County, and East Kano Wawidhi Ward where four kilometers of the lined canal has been done with a capacity to irrigate 625 acres and benefit 1,200 households," he explained.

On health, he said, his government will continue has reviving the sector, noting that the community health system was now efficiently running.

"When I took office in 2017, I found the health sector on its knees. We have not only built and equipped more health facilities, but became the first county to fully digitise the health management system," said the Governor.

He also cited the closure of the Kachok dumpsite, which has been an eyesore and an environmental risk. The site was moved to Kasese in Ombeyi, where a waste-to-energy plant is being constructed.