Siaya Governor James Orengo while giving his acceptance speech after taking oath of office promised to root out corruption in the county.
He said his administration would discourage skewed employment of county staff adding that those expecting favours were in for a rude shock as recruitment would be competitive and purely on merit and not nepotism or corruption.
The swearing in ceremony was presided over by Justice Jacqueline Kamau with an attendance by members of the public as well as politicians such as elected Members of Parliament from all six constituencies namely Alego Usonga, Bondo, Gem, Rarieda, Ugenya, and Ugunja and newly elected Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga amongst other leaders.
“We want to be open and accountable. I will not employ anybody based on my relationship with them, I will employ people based on merit,” said Orengo.
Orengo welcomed constructive criticism citing that accountability and good leadership should be open to critique in order to properly serve its people.
The deputy governor William Oduol echoed Orengo’s remarks saying, “We want to be servant leaders and not rulers, therefore we shall work with the people as partners in service delivery and prioritize services that are of most importance to the people of Siaya.”
James Orengo becomes Siaya’s second governor since devolution, taking over from Cornel Amoth Rasanga in leading the county that is according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is home to 833,760 people who now rest their hopes on the shoulders of their new governor to steer the county in to prosperity and enact his manifesto in totality.
By Calvin Otieno
