James Orengo will take over the reign of Siaya County next Thursday when those elected to head the devolved units will be sworn into the office.
According to the co- chair of the transition committee Joseph Ogutu, the swearing in ceremony will be held at the Kenya Medical Training College grounds in Siaya town.
Ogutu, the Siaya County Secretary, said that preparations were in top gear to have the outgoing governor, Cornel Rasanga hand over to the senator who will be deputized by William Oduol.
“The ceremony will be presided over by Lady Justice Jackie Kamau who will be assisted by magistrate Margaret Onditi,” said the County Secretary who co- chairs the transition committee alongside Siaya County Commissioner, Mr. Jim Njoka.
Orengo, who vied on an Orange Democratic Movement ticket, floored former Rarieda MP, Nicholas Gumbo by garnering 220,349 votes against 147,558 votes.
Meanwhile, more than half of the members of the Siaya County Assembly were sent packing by the electorate during the just concluded general elections.
Out of the 30 elected MCAs, only 11 survived the voters’ onslaught as 19 fell by the wayside.
Ugunja Constituency saw all the three elected MCAs sent packing while in Bondo, only one out of six survived.
Voters in Gem Constituency sent four of the six MCAs home while in Rarieda Constituency, four out of five MCAs were also rejected by the electorate.
Ugenya and Alego / Usonga voters recorded high retention of previous MCAs. In Ugenya, only one of the four MCAs was sent packing while Alego / Usonga rejected only two of the six MCAs.
The gender representation in the assembly still remains wanting as only four women were elected as MCAs.
By Philip Onyango
