•The 76-year old is the longest-serving MP in the National Assembly.
•Angwenyi is hoping to secure a record sixth term in Parliament in the next year’s general elections.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
@alalmaurice
Former Kisumu finance chief officer Erick Angwenyi Orang’i will vie for the Kitutu Chache North parliamentary seat.
He wants to unseat the incumbent Jimmy Angwenyi, who is serving his fifth term as MP.
The 76-year old is the longest-serving MP in the National Assembly.
Angwenyi is hoping to secure a record sixth term in Parliament.
He will ride on his development track record.
In Kitutu Chache North constituency, Kisii, there are four wards Marani, Monyerero, Kegogi and Sensi.
In the last general election, Marani had 13,291 registered voters while Monyerero and Kegogi had 13,800 and 9,633 voters and Sensi 13,849 voters.
However, clan politics are expected to determine the next MP.
The Kibagendi clan where Orang’i comes from has not produced any leader for any elective position.
This, he said, will boost his candidature to win the seat.
Residents say it's time for the Kibagendi clan to lead the constituency.
Orang’i will be banking on his development track record, youth and women empowerment initiatives he has achieved across the constituency.
He is however yet to officially launch campaigns.
His supporters and allies have been traversing the constituency to popularise his bid.
Orang’i said his campaigns will focus on education, health, agriculture, water and environment, economy, transport, electricity, security, women and youth empowerment.
“My leadership will ensure that the constituency affairs are run above board. Corruption among other vices will not be tolerated under my tenure,” he said.
Orang’i said most of the land, water and labour can be used to generate wealth in the constituency.
“These opportunities must be quickly and fully developed,” Orang’i said.
He looks towards equity by giving equal opportunities regardless of gender, tribe or political stance and ensuring fairness and equity in all aspects.
The politician said he will ensure equitable distribution of bursaries, support vulnerable groups and special needs schools in the constituency.
He is committed to affirmative action for the employment of women, the disabled and minorities.
When elected, Orang’i said his administration will formulate policies and programs that will pull people living with disabilities into the political economy.
“We will ensure that children with disabilities get quality education, without being discriminated against, we will support and spearhead inclusion of such children in regular schools, for proper integration,” he said.
Orang’i said they will set aside funds for a special school for children with physical disabilities and establish a special economic empowerment fund to support PWDs to run viable businesses.
He pledged to acquire at least two water drilling equipment for the constituency.
This, he said, will enable the drilling of boreholes and ensure residents are supplied with clean treated water to eradicate water-borne diseases.
He will help protect water catchment areas, promote sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable use of natural resources and encourage massive tree planting by the residents.
“My administration will support women and youth groups to establish and run tree nurseries,” Orang’i said.
He promised to enhance roads construction and maintenance and open more feeder roads for easy movement and transportation of goods to markets.
He pledged to partner with the national government to ensure tarmacking of Rioma- Nyakoe road and Gesieka Ruga road among others.
The former Kisumu finance chief officer said each homestead will have electricity to avoid kerosene hustle.
The electricity, he said, will enhance projects like welding and machine operations in homes and market centres.
Orang’i will establish security and peacebuilding which will be supported by his administration to increase surveillance to reduce and eradicate banditry attacks.
He will ensure transparent land disputes and boundary solving from chiefs and assistant chiefs’ reports and promote the Nyumba Kumi initiatives.
Orang’i said he will promote enrolment to NHIF fund and ensure medical personnel are well trained and motivated. He will offer special medical scholarships to those undertaking high-skilled courses.
He said he will invest in the education sector to ensure children in the constituency are empowered academically.
“Education is the key to all forms of development. An educated society is a liberated one,” he said.
Currently, Orang’i said many children are unable to get good basic education due to a lack of enough schools and high fees.
He said he will establish an Education Foundation to support learning.
Orang’i said farmers will be supported and educated on farming skills.
They will undertake soil testing and be advised on proper land use, the market for products to be made readily available and ensure value-addition for locally produced goods.
Orang’i will empower women economically by setting up a women’s empowerment enterprise kitty through grants and loans to support viable women-driven projects and programs.
He will engage youth in participatory decision-making and development processes to help in achieving sustainable human development.
“We shall pursue strategies which focus on inclusive youth participation in effective and democratic governance, economic empowerment of youth and develop structures for engaging youth in building infrastructure in their communities,” Orang’i said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris