Raila set to meet Cord governors in Kisumu

Cord leader Raila Odinga (right) and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero chat during a rally held on February 13, 2016 in Kibra Constituency. Governors from Cord zones have lately been opening up their regions to investment opportunities. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • It will address economic, political and devolution issues. Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga said Cord governors were concerned about their regional economies.
  • In Kisumu, Senator Anyang’ Nyang’o is already warming up for a race against Governor Jack Ranguma. And in Mombasa, Governor Joho is under pressure from Senator Hassan Omar.

Cord leader Raila Odinga has invited all Cord county chiefs to Kisumu for a two-day retreat starting Sunday.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti said on Saturday that the Kisumu meeting “will evaluate what we have been able to do, what we plan to do, and what is achievable within the remaining period.”

ODM director of elections Junet Mohammed said the Kisumu meeting would be attended by Cord co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula.

“All our senators will also attend. It’s an in-house operation and opportunity to share information on devolution,” Mr Mohamed said.

“Our coalition did not win power at the national level but we are ruling in 25 counties. We want to see how much we have done as we prepare to take over from Jubilee in 2017,” he said.

Cord has governors in 25 of the 47 counties in Kenya.

The forum starts on Sunday at Acacia Hotel in Kisumu and ends on Monday. It will address economic, political and devolution issues. Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga said Cord governors were concerned about their regional economies.

“We are keen on addressing local issues. The regional bloc we are coming up with is part of the solution to our problems,” he said.

He said governors working under the bloc held a meeting in Nairobi on Friday to deliberate on the set up of the venture.

Governors from Cord zones have lately been opening up their regions to investment opportunities.

MEETING AGENDA
Kisii and Homa Bay counties have lined up major conferences this month, with pre-events to mobilise locals and foreigners already conducted in Nairobi and Mombasa.

For instance, Mr Awiti has put in place an air transport strategy to open up the dormant tourism circuit in Southern Nyanza.

Fly 540 airlines has five flights a week to the region at Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay.

Governor James Ongwae of Kisii said competition for investment among counties is healthy.

Kisii County is the largest economy in the region, with 50 per cent of monetary circulation in the entire Nyanza region. The county will hold a summit from February 25 to 27.

During Sunday’s Kisumu meeting, governors also expected to pressure the Cord leadership to support their re-election bid in 2017.

Many governors are facing strong challenges from senators and MPs.

Mr Awiti is facing opposition from Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, National Intelligence Service official Sam Wakiaga and Nairobi-based businessman Enosh Bolo.

In Siaya, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and Siaya Senator James Orengo have confirmed they will challenge Mr Rasanga for the seat.

In Kisumu, Senator Anyang’ Nyang’o is already warming up for a race against Governor Jack Ranguma. And in Mombasa, Governor Joho is under pressure from Senator Hassan Omar.