By Samson Wire
Following the successful completion of the approval hearings conducted in accordance with Section 8(1)(a) of the County Governments Act, 2012 and Section 7 of the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, 2017, the County Assembly of Siaya has approved the nomination of several County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Chief Officers (COs) for Governor James Orengo's administration.
In a decisive session chaired by the Rt. Hon. Speaker George Okode, the House approved the following nominees as County Executive Committee Members (CECMs):
Joseph Rading – CECM for Governance and Administration
Willis Okoth – CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation, Food, Livestock and Fisheries
Christine Jennifer Akinyi – CECM for Trade, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Industrialization
Dr. Ochogo Nicholas Kut – CECM for Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts
Adhola Neto Augustine – CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development
Erick J. Abungu Odawa – CECM for Public Works, Roads, Energy and Transport
The Assembly also approved the appointment of the following Chief Officers:
Wilfred Nyagudi – Chief Officer, Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts
Maurine Owuor – Chief Officer, ICT and Public Service Transformation
Walter Okelo – Chief Officer, Governance and Administration
Jared Abayo – Chief Officer, Water, Environment, Irrigation, Climate Change and Natural Resources
Joseph Mboha – Chief Officer, Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development
Speaking after the approvals, the House urged Governor James Orengo to formally appoint the approved nominees to their respective positions without delay. However, the Assembly rejected the nominations of two CECM nominees and resolved to give Governor Orengo 14 days to forward fresh names for consideration.
With the constitutional approval process now concluded for the successful nominees, they await formal appointment by Governor Orengo and subsequent swearing-in to office. The newly approved team is expected to play a pivotal role in driving the implementation of Governor Orengo’s development agenda as outlined in the Nyalore Manifesto, working to deliver on key promises and transform service delivery across Siaya County.