Governor James Orengo is a distinguished politician and civil rights icon of international repute.
He was last seen in public in the third week of June, and his absence has touched off unnecessary and avoidable speculation about his whereabouts, safety or even health.
It turns out he has had to travel to the United States in search of medical attention.
The secrecy around his departure to the USA is uncalled for and flies in the face of what the public expects of a leader of his stature.
The people of Siaya deserve to know whether the man they elected to run their county is in office, sick or on holiday. It should not be a secret.
Around the civilised world, when leaders are indisposed, they let the public know. Getting sick is normal.
But Governor Orengo and his handlers have chosen the absurd African leaders’ precedent of concealing illness, then secretly flying abroad to see foreign doctors.
Venerated Nelson Mandela, in 1994, took time off after cataract surgery and announced to the entire world. That example must be emulated.
An MP has initiated a bill that, if approved, will make all public servants seek medical attention in public hospitals.
Quote of the day: “Those who own much have much to fear.” —Indian philosopher, poet, writer and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore died on August 7, 1941
