Governors list growth plans for their counties

Governors from various counties in western Kenya on Thursday unveiled their plans for their counties when they addressed their first respective county assemblies.

In Homa Bay, Governor Cyprian Awiti asked members of the County Assembly to forget their political differences and focus on developing the county.

Speaking during the official opening of the County Assembly, Mr Awiti urged the members not to allow political rivalry to creep into their county.

“My hope is that this Assembly will accord development top priority instead of politics. It is my appeal that we co-operate to invert the pyramid to ensure development tops our agenda as politics closes the order of our agenda,” Mr Awiti said Governor Awiti.

In Kisii, Governor James Ongwae challenged the county representatives to roll their sleeves and work to ensure that voters get value and quality services.

He was speaking during the opening of the Kisii County Assembly where he also outlined his agenda for the county.

“Agriculture is a major source of income to hundreds of people in the county. However they are not getting the full benefits because of being exploited by middlemen,” he said.

In Siaya, Governor Cornel Rasanga asked the county leadership to come together in realising the full potential of the county.

He noted in his first address to the County Assembly that the county’s economy can grow by 10 per cent annually if a clear development plan is drawn and implemented.

Kisumu county governor Jack Ranguma was optimistic that the county would be one of the leading regions in terms of resources that needed to be harnessed for economic growth.

“The vision for the development of Kisumu County is anchored on the Vision 2030 and will be achievable is we work as a team taking into consideration the massive resource potential that the county is endowed with,” he said.

In Busia, food security and infrastructure topped the agenda of the governor.

Speaking during the session, Governor Sospeter Ojamoong said that his government would encourage modern methods of farming and improve infrastructure to fight poverty.

“My government will invest in improving the road network across Busia County by providing good rural access roads and upgrading class C roads to standard tarmac roads,” he said adding that plans were underway to purchase seven graders to maintain roads.

Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama asked the County Assembly members to fight corruption as they sought to fulfil the pledges they gave their electorates.

“I will lead by example by ensuring that resources allocated to this county are utilised to the satisfaction of our people. I urge all those who will be entrusted with funds to equally be accountable so that we can achieve much development,” he said.

Migori’s Governor Okoth Obado vowed to make farming of cane and tobacco profitable to alleviate poverty.

Mr Obado said the alarming rate of unemployment in the region would only be addressed through economic empowerment of the youth.

He asked the assembly members to forget their political differences and work together as one team for the sake of fostering development in the county.

In Bomet, Governor Isaac Ruto said among the activities that his government would undertake include replanning of the Central Business District in Bomet town and reduction of the wage bill for the sake of the county’s fast economic growth.

“If this was done, the citizenry will benefit more on the public coffers due to the reduction on the overhead expenses and which will be re-channeled to projects,” he said.