Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has urged the county leadership to forge a united front and prioritise capital investment over recurrent expenditure to speed up development and improve service delivery.
In his state of the county address to the assembly on Wednesday, Osotsi called for a collaborative approach between the executive and county assemblies.
He highlighted accelerated investment in the health sector – particularly the speedy completion, equipping and staffing of the Vihiga Hospital Plaza – and the construction of modern markets to address congestion and improve trader infrastructure.
Osotsi also underscored the need to ensure adequate and quality food, housing, clean water, education and social security, settlement of pending bills totalling Sh1.47 billion, review and possible reform of Amatsi Water Services Company Limited and advocacy for equitable revenue sharing.
“Unified working is key to navigating the issues that affect our daily lives and in upholding principles of good governance that reflect the true aspirations of the people of Vihiga.”
Osotsi called on stakeholders to put aside differences and work in harmony for the benefit of the electorate.
“Let us put the people first. Our legacy will be determined not by what we say, but by the bold steps we take to change lives,” he said.
The senator has been advocating for the strengthening of devolution through enhanced allocation of funds and timely release of the same.
He is pushing for the unbundling and transfer of all devolved functions still held by the national government.
County assemblies should have financial autonomy to enhance accountability and responsiveness in discharging their mandates, he added.
Senators Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), Okiya Omtatah (Busia), Agnes Kavindu (Machakos), Johnes Mwaruma (Taita Taveta), Beth Kalunda (Nominated) and Miraj Abdillahi (Nominated), along with elders, dignitaries and members of the public, attended the session.
