The Siaya County Assembly has rejected Governor James Orengo’s cabinet nominees, citing a lack of critical information about the individuals that would aid in vetting them.
Mr. Orengo presented the list to Speaker George Okode on October 26 in advance of vetting by the House appointments committee.
Colonel Cyrus Oguna, the government spokesperson, was appointed chief of staff.
Maseno University don Edgar Otumba (Education), Aguda Ochanda (Governance and Administration), Benedict Abonyo (Finance and Economic Planning), and Martin Odhiambo Konyango (Health) were the other nominees.
Mr George Odhiambo Nying’iro was nominated for Public Works, Roads, Energy, and Transport, while Dr. Carolyne Onyango was nominated for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources.
Mr Sylvestor Odhiambo K’Okoth was proposed for Agriculture, Irrigation, Food, Livestock, and Fisheries, Ms. Grace Agola for Trade, Enterprise, and Industrial Development, Ms. Anjeline Atieno Oduor for Tourism, Culture, Sports, and Arts, and Mr. Maurice Otieno Mcorege for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development.
Many praised the governor’s selections, with many describing them as the best to transform Siaya County, which has been plagued by corruption and underdevelopment for years.
However, in a notice to the assembly on Thursday afternoon, Mr Okode claimed that the list lacked some details about the nominees, causing the vetting to be delayed.
He stated that proof of the nominees’ academic credentials, professional training and experience, personal integrity, and background information were required.
“Honourable members I noticed some gaps in the information accompanying the list that was presented. For instance, two nominees only have their CVs submitted but no copies of academic certificates or evidence of previous work experience,” he said.
In his notice to the Speaker, Mr. Orengo stated that documentation and records of the nominees’ qualifications and aptitude would be provided to the assembly or obtained directly from the candidates.
Evidence of the nominees’ professional training and experience must be submitted to ensure compliance with Section 35 iii (d) of the County Governments Act.
It states that a person can be appointed to the County Executive Committee if they have knowledge, experience, and a distinguished career of at least five years in the field relevant to the portfolio of the department to which they are appointed.
Mr Okode also claimed that Mr Orengo failed to fully disclose the sub-county and ward from which each nominee is drawn.
He insisted that the assembly would not approve a list that did not take into account the county’s community and cultural diversity.
“It is on the foregoing account that I infer that the nomination of notification to the County Assembly is currently considered not duly given in respect of section 6 (v) of the Act and the Standing orders of the House,” Mr Okode said.
“I have therefore written back to the governor to ask him to provide the missing information for us to proceed.”
This means that the vetting will take longer unless the governor promptly provides the required information.
