Orengo county address sparks mixed reactions

Siaya Governor James Orengo. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Siaya Governor James Orengo's State of the County address on Friday has elicited mixed reactions from residents with a section of leaders terming it a 'public relations' stunt.

Orengo highlighted the progress made in various sectors, such as agriculture, health, education, water and infrastructure since he assumed office last year.

He acknowledged his predecessor, Cornel Rasanga's commendable efforts to bequeath the county with strong foundations and pillars upon which his administration would thrive and upscale moving forward.

The county boss said he was confronted by the need to re-engineer the development pathway for the county.

"That implied a delirious state, given the inadequacies in the provision and delivery of services to our people, against the backdrop of the disturbing levels of unemployment among our youth and the attendant socio-economic upheavals that the majority of our people faced and continue to face," said the governor.

Orengo's speech elicited mixed reactions from the leaders and residents, who expressed their views on the performance and the vision of the "Nyalore" government.

Some MPs, among them Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), Samuel Atandi (Alego-Usonga), and Siaya Woman Representative Christine Ombaka praised the governor for his leadership while others criticized him for failing to address the pressing issues affecting the residents.

“I do not doubt that Siaya is on the right path towards development. The governor has tried and we need to support him and his agenda,” said Ombaka.

Atandi said he would support him (Orengo) for a second term to make the county great.

"Let's forget about the sponsored opinion polls by the governor's opponents to paint him as a non-performer," he said.

But Deputy Governor William Oduol said he failed to address the Yala Swamp ownership controversy and only duelled on public relations.