Row erupts over plan to buy Anyang' Nyong’o a house in Kisumu

A decision by the Kisumu county government to buy a new house to serve as the governor’s official residence has courted controversy.

The county government feels the purchase of a new house, whose price is yet to be revealed, is a priority.

But residents feel the county has many houses and one of them should be taken up by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Lobby groups in Kisumu, led by Mr Chris Owala, have asked Prof Nyong’o to settle on one of the government-owned houses in the posh Milimani estate instead of buying one.

Mr Owala, who is the Director of Community Initiative Action Group Kenya (CIAG), claimed the purchase plan would open an avenue for corruption.

“We are currently struggling with inadequate funds for critical services in the county, diverting money to purchase of a house to the comfort of some individuals is selfish and uncalled for,” he said.

In an advert placed in the dailies last week, the county, through the department of housing, invited expressions of interest for the plan.

The specifications were that the property should be in Milimani estate and sitting on not less than an acre of land.

CONSULTATIONS

It is also required that the parcel be accessible, must have a title deed with no encumbrances and must have been valued by registered valuer.

According to Nerry Achar, county executive for finance, they had decided that the residence needed to be out of town and along Lake Victoria following consultations.

Mr Achar said they were contemplating putting up the residence near the lake based on the feedback the governor got from locals and foreigners.

He denied claims that the residence would cost Sh300 million.

Prof Nyong’o has home in Ratta, Seme, at least 60 kilometres from Kisumu's central business district.

Mr Achar said currently the national government is paying rent for the governor, his deputy Mathews Owili and Kisumu Speaker Onyango Oloo in Kisumu.

EXPENSIVE

“We thought this was going on up to 2019 but when we checked, we found out that by October this year, the national government will stop paying rent for the three. We then decided to buy a house instead,” said Mr Achar.

“We can then develop the other plots we have to return the amount we used to purchase the house.”

He said that they had thought of renting but dropped the idea because it would be expensive in the long run.

“The former mayor’s house is sitting on a Sh100-million piece of land and there were renovations that cost the previous government Sh20 million. People believe it was renovated and are wondering why Prof Nyong’o won’t occupy it. The truth is money was spent yet no refurbishment was done. These are some pending bills we are dealing with,” said Mr Achar.

OUTCRY

“The purchase will be very transparent which will involve getting a government valuer. Should it go beyond our expectations, we must seek government's approval,” said Mr Achar.

Mr Achar said currently an acre of land is going for Sh100 million in Milimani and that there are plans to turn the area into a commercial hub.

“We are planning to turn Milimani into mixed commercial and residential area. We have old colonial mansions that we want to turn into commercial houses,” he said.

The official governor’s residence has been an issue in Kisumu since the inception of devolution.

Former governor Jack Ranguma hit the headlines after it emerged he was staying at a hotel in Milimani months after being elected.

The county finally rented a house for him in Milimani, where he stayed until Prof Nyong'o floored him at in 2017 poll.