Seme Member of Parliament James Nyikal led MPs from Kisumu County in condemning the affairs in the county assembly saying the impasse was negatively affecting service delivery to the residents of Kisumu/MIKE KARIUKI
Seme Member of Parliament James Nyikal led MPs from Kisumu County in condemning the affairs in the county assembly saying the impasse was negatively affecting service delivery to the residents of Kisumu.
“We as the Members of Parliament, both as leaders and residents of the county, are seriously concerned with the wrangling in the county government. It is in our view that unless this is brought to an end, it will lead to deterioration in the little that has been achieved in service delivery through devolution,” said Nyikal.
The leaders expressed the need to resolve the pending issues so that some of the industries in the area can be revived as in the case of the cotton industry which was booming until KICOMI (Kisumu Cotton Mills) collapsed causing 3,000 people to lose their jobs.
The fishing industry which was among the most vibrant industries in the area went down 10 years ago, same as agricultural output.
“Unless wrangling, power struggle and lack of focus in the county governance are eliminated immediately, these cannot be achieved,” said Nyikal.
The leaders say they intend to initiate dialogue between feuding parties in order to find a solution to the escalating conflict which has already seen the Speaker of the County Assembly impeached.
“There will be a leadership meeting from all over the seven constituencies within Kisumu County to resolve this matter. If leaders cannot do it, then the people of the county have obligation over this matter… we can call them to reason together,” added Nyando MP Fred Outa.
The legislators however added that they recognised the distinction between county and national government and would not want to be seen as interfering with the running of the counties.
But even as the legislators plot a way of resolving the outstanding issues, already the Kisumu County Assembly has advertised the position of Speaker in.
In the advertisement, interim Clerk Owen Ojuok indicated that the assembly was looking to hire a competent and qualified person to fill the position of Speaker.
“Interested and qualified persons should send their application, CV, copies of academic and professional certificates and testimonials to reach the undersigned by 4th November 2014,”read part of the advertisement.
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