Midiwo-Rasanga lock horns over State House visit on Dominion farm ‘conflict’

SIAYA, KENYA: Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga has denied claims by Gem MP, Jakoyo Midiwo that he made a secret visit to State House, Nairobi on Monday.

Midiwo claims the governor was at State House last Monday and that one of his agenda was to discuss with President Uhuru Kenyatta the fate of the controversial Yalla Swamp, following claims the American firm, Dominion Farms was pulling out.

Midiwo on Tuesday repeated his earlier claims that Mr Rasanga was involved in a secret moves to give out the expansive swamp to yet another investor.

The Dominion group has been involved in large scale rice growing and fish farming.  The Dominion group is however said to be planning to relocate from Kenya after its owner, Mr Calvin Burges differed with local leaders following his claims that ODM leader Raila Odinga and some MPs had been demanding bribes from him.

But in a quick rejoinder Rasanga denied visiting State House and termed the allegations as blatant lies.
The governor argued that it was a categorical stupid gesture from his opponents. "These are the usual stupid gestures and accusations from my opponents," he told the Standard in a text message.

Midiwo alleged that there was a plot by a Mombasa based Maize miller and another company in discussions with the Siaya County Government over the Yalla swamp.