Appoint more people from Nyanza, Orengo asks Ruto

Siaya Governor James Orengo has asked President William Ruto to appoint more people from Nyanza to serve in various government positions.

While appreciating the appointment of Eliud Owalo to the Information Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet docket, Orengo said that still there is rich talent and skill in the region.

"I want to thank you very profusely for the appointment of Eliud Owalo as a cabinet secretary. I hope you are going to appoint other people from this region to escort Owalo," he said.

During Ruto's two-day tour of Nyanza region which ended on Saturday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua paraded people from Nyanza who are currently serving in key government positions.

They include Interior Permanent Secretary Raymond Omollo and the Chief of Staff in the office of the DP George McGoye.

During Ruto's tour of Siaya on Saturday, Orengo appealed to the president to consider appointing more professionals from Nyanza to serve in the kenya Kwanza government. 

Below is the rest of the speech in verbatim.

"I welcome you to Siaya. Siaya is your home. When you come to Siaya know you are coming to your people and very patriotic citizens of Kenya.

I want to thank you very profusely for appointment Eliud Owalo as a Cabinet Secretary. I know him, I can vouch for him as a worker, scholar, writer and a thinker and a strategist. Asembo and Siaya are better with Owalo in the Cabinet of William Samoei Ruto.

I hope in the fullness of time you're going to be able to appoint other people from this region to escort Owalo.

You know, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was parading some people from this region but we still want some more.

The National Government and the County Government should work together, seamlessly, for the benefit of the citizens.

This visit was primarily to celebrate the appointment of Owalo. Please come to Siaya again so that you can tour the whole of Siaya from one end to the other.

I called on the people of Siaya to welcome the president again and again.

Today in the morning we put a list of requests to the president. The president told us that he is going to facilitate us to get an additional 20 tractors.

He has challenged us as a county to play our part and that the project is going to be completed.

In Alego where people grow rice, we had procured a mill but we did not have sufficient funds. The president has said he is going to provide funds to enable us acquire a big mill for our rice farmers.

The road known as Kamito-Kalandini-Ka Elijah should be tarmacked like yesterday. I had the benefit off flying with the president over this area and I can assure as a matter of duty the president is going to ensure that that road is completed. And he said that all the roads that have stalled in Siaya county; they are going to mobilize contractors to come and complete them.

The fish processing plant in Lwanda Kotieno together with the one in Wich Lum are going to get into business.

I want to applaud you, Your Excellency. You seem to know everywhere in Siaya. I don't know what you used to do here before.

As Kenyans, we as elected leaders, and I am saying this with all the seriousness and the command of my words, that it is wrong for us to talk about 2027 for those who have been elected. We should be talking about what we are doing now, now, now... not 2027.

I am happy that the president you are here and assured us that your government is kicking and working in Siaya and entire republic not because of 2027 but because that is the duty you were elected to perform.

I am also gratified that the two levels of government, Your Excellency has assured us, that we are going to work together in accordance with the Constitution, the county government (Act) and all related statutes. And for that we thank you, Mr President.

I want to ask the people of Kenya. We are one nation. We should never build borders or walls. A Kenyan should be ready and prepared to go anywhere in this republic. Leaders, if we say things the way we should say them, this country is going to be one indivisible republic, that is looking into the future with vision and optimism.

Mr President, I urge you, not in the spirit of handshake but in the spirit of togetherness; I urge you to sit together on the table of brotherhood with your brother Raila Amolo Odinga because the elections are over.

I have worked with you president Ruto. I know you when you stand for something; like when we were in Serena, defending Agwambo. I knew you as a very great fighter. But for the good of Kenyans, I urge you that you should come together on the table of brotherhood to move together as a nation so that we don't divide our people.

I spoke to Raila Amolo Odinga about an hour ago and he said that I should pass to you his word of welcome and ujisikie uko nyumbani."