Today we hosted a section of Hon. Members and staff from Kwale County Assembly led by their Speaker Hon. Seth Mwatela Kamanza.
The delegation that was received by host Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro and Clerk Mr. Owen Ojuok discussed raft of issues aimed to improve service delivery in the two sister County Assemblies.
The East Africa Local Authorities Cultural Association (EALASCA) 2024 Games officially kicked off today at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr.Mathew Owili officially flagged off the regional games, accompanied by the Speaker of the County Assembly of Kisumu Hon. Elisha Oraro and other County Government officials.
The regional games have attracted over 700 partcipants who will compete for top honors in different sporting activities, with a section of Hon. Members and staff from Kisumu County Assembly selected to represent the Kenyan team in various disciplines.
Kisumu County Leadership comprising the Executive headed by the Governor H.E. Prof. Anyang’ and the County Assembly headed by Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro today gathered at Sawela Lodges, Naivasha, to deliberate on milestones, challenges and to jointly develop interventions to foster development and enhance service delivery in Kisumu County.
In his opening remarks of the event dubbed Kisumu County Leadership Summit, 2024, the Governor underscored the importance of the two arms of the devolved unit working together to enable the County Government to realize its mandate.
“This event aims to foster collaboration, enhance communication and to align goals and strategies to improve service delivery in Kisumu County, ” Hon. Oraro stated.
Today, we were honoured to host top officilals of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) led by its Chairperson Mr. Charles Orinda Dulo.
The Commissioners who were received by the Speaker Hon. Elisha Jack Oraro and Clerk Mr Owen Ojuok held discussion with County Assembly officials on interventions to enhance complaints handling and access to information in the county.
Mr. Dulo was pleased to note that Kisumu County Assembly has made tremendous effort to enhance access to information and redress mechanisms.
“The Assembly is compliant in terms of its quarterly reporting to the Commission, and that is encouraging,” he said.
Clerk of the Assembly observed that the improvements were as a result of the partnership between the Assembly and the Commission, commonly referred to as the Ombudsman.
” We now have a complaints handling Committee and a functional access to information office,” Mr. Ojuok noted.
” It is as a result of these interventions that the Ombudsman feted us in 2023 during the Huduma Ombudman Award,” he added.
Hon. Oraro thanked the Commission for the good gesture and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to fostering public trust through improved accountability structures. He also sought the support of the Commission to protect and strengthen devolution.
The Commission was in the Assembly to pay a courtesy call on the Speaker and to introduce the new Commissioners.
The meeting also aimed to enhance collaboration in developing and implementing effective county-level complaints-handling mechanisms and advancing Access to Information (ATI) laws to bolster transparency and accountability.
Discussions also centered on resolving public complaints linked to climate action projects in the county, supported by the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Program, Kenya
The Commission emphasised the critical role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in efficiently addressing public grievances, a matter the Assembly undertook to embrace.
Mr. Dulo was accompanied by the Commission Secretary Ms Mercy Wambua alongside other top officials of the Commission.
Hon. Members of the County Assembly and the County Executive Committee Members today met to discuss the implementation status of development projects for FY 2024/2025 and to harmonize strategies to enhance growth in Kisumu County.
The Members expressed concern about delayed procurement and put pressure on the Executive to fast-track implementation of all development projects.
The meeting chaired by the Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro was attended by all CECs, the County Secretary and all Hon. Members of the County Assembly.
The meeting resolved that all development to be rolled out immediately for the benefit of the people of Kisumu and to reduce the threat of pending bills in the County.
The Hon. Members and the CECs also agreed to meet frequently to take stock of progress of the implementation of the projects.
Kisumu Governor H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o today made his 6th State of the County Address during a Special Sitting of the House convened at Tom Mboya Labour College.
The Governor enumerated the milestones his administration has made in the past years and highlighted his plans for the future.
He thanked the County Assembly for passing various legislations that have created legal frameworks to facilitate development, enhance service delivery and hold the County Government to account.
Key dignitaries at the event included Bungoma County Governor H.E. Hon. Ken Lusaka ( Chief Guest), who was accompanied by a delegation of Senior officers from Bungoma County, MPs Hon. Aduma Owuor ( Nyakach), Hon. James Nyikal (Seme), Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, among others.
Kisumu County Assembly is currently conducting public participation on Kisumu County Quarrying Bill, 2024 – a legislation to regulate quarrying activities to ensure they are safe, fair and beneficial to local communities and the environment.
The legislation ensures quarrying is done responsibly and that the activities follow clear rules and timelines, protect the environment and that benefits are shared fairly among quarry operators, the government and the local community.
This is a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Hon. Nereah Okombo, the Deputy Speaker and Manyatta B Ward Representative.
Hon. Members, as we adjourn for long recess today 5th December, 2024, I wish to take this opportunity to thank God for His grace and guidance that has enabled us to reach this far.
I equally take this early opportunity to congratulate both the Hon. Members of the County Assembly and staff for their hard work and dedication towards ensuring that the County Assembly achieves its mandate.
I am proud that as an Assembly, we have made significant progress that has not only transformed the socio-economic development of Kisumu County but also earned us recognition as an Assembly.
I wish to highlight some of the achievements:
Enhanced Legislation
Hon. Members, it is encouraging to note that this Third Assembly has so far processed and passed over 20 legislations that provide legal framework for various development activities and also enhance service delivery in Kisumu County.
Most of these legislations have been enacted and operationalized. We have also debated and passed several motions, considered several statement requests, processed over 10 petitions, and hundreds of committee reports that address the challenges of the people of Kisumu and improve their socio-economic well-being.
This is attributed to capacity building of Hon. Members and staff as well as enhanced civic education and access to information by members of the public.
Improved Oversight
Hon. Members, this Third Assembly has not shied away from its oversight mandate and has worked tirelessly to ensure accountability in Kisumu County.
Through the watch-dog Committees, we have interrogated financial statements and implementation of projects to ensure the tax-payer gets value for money.
There are instances where we have recommended sanctions and or referred matters to various government investigative agencies for further investigations.
This effort has seen the Executive make a significant step in its audit rating, moving from adverse opinion it has obtained the previous years to qualified opinion in the 2023/2024 audit report.
The County Assembly, on the other hand, has consistently maintained a qualified opinion in its audit rating even as we strive to obtain an unqualified opinion.
Enhanced collaboration and access to information
Hon. Members, in line with the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on transparency, accountability and access to information, we have a made a significant milestone in the way we engage the public.
In July, 2024, we made a significant milestone when we conducted our inaugural Open Day – an activity which was aimed to create awareness on the mandate of the County Assembly as well as the functions and achievements made by House Committees.
The event did not only provide opportunity for Kisumu residents to sample the success stories of the County Assembly but also engage directly and seek answers from the County Assembly, the House Committees and their elected representatives.
We have ensured that โMwananchiโ is part and parcel of the Assemblyโs deliberations and decisions and provided opportunity for the public to give real-time feedback either physically or through our digital platforms.
We have equally improved collaboration with the Executive arm of the County Government even as we jealously guard our independence.
Recognition and Awards
Hon. Members, I am pleased to note that our achievements have not gone unnoticed. We have consistently been recognized and feted by both government and non-governmental organizations on aspects such as promoting access to information, being gender responsive and being progressive Assembly in Nyanza region. This week, the County Assembly received a major recognition by the prestigious Mizani Awards when it was feted as the 3rd most trusted County Assembly in Kenya.
The Assembly has also become a benchmarking hub, with sister County Assemblies, other government agencies and even students on study tours visiting to exchange knowledge and best practices.
Moving forward, we remain committed to achieving our vision of being a model, independent and people responsive County Assembly in Kenya.
Hon. Members, as we break today, I wish to encourage you to take time off to refresh and reenergize as we look forward to even greater milestones next year, 2025.
I also encourage you to take time to be with your constituents so that you can build a better understanding of their feeling and challenges that we can seek to address when we resume next year.
Finally, I wish to take this early opportunity to wish all Hon. Members and staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 2025!
Kisumu County residents have welcomed the Kisumu County Cess Bill, 2024 – a proposed legislation which provides for imposition of cess on agricultural produce within the County.
The purpose of the Bill is to levy and collect as a cess on agricultural produce within the County and to provide procedures for the management and administration of cess collection for the development and maintenance of infrastructure in crop growing areas.
The County Assembly is currently conducting public participation on the proposed legislation – which is a private Member’s Bill sponsored by Hon. Regina Kizito, a nominated MCA representing the youth.
At the public participation, residents especially from the sugar growing areas have described the Bill as a welcome move.
“This has been our wish for quite a long time. I wish this Bill came earlier because we have borne the brunt of bad roads caused by these heavy trucks,” observed Mr. Kennedy Okong’o a resident, of Miwani Ward.
Kisumu County Assembly has been recognized as one of Kenya’s most trusted legislative bodies, clinching third position in the coveted Mizani Africa Awards.
The awards ceremony, held Tuesday at The Weston Hotel, Nairobi, celebrated outstanding innovation and leadership across the country.
Kisumu County Assembly ranked behind Embu and Makueni Assemblies in the “Top Trusted County Assembly” category, earning accolades for its transformative legislative achievements and governance under the stewardship of Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro.
While receiving the award, Hon. Oraro, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Hon. Nereah Okombo and Deputy Leader of Majority Hon. Lumumba Owade, highlighted the Assembly’s landmark achievements.
Over the past few years, the Assembly processed more than 100 bills, addressed over 20 petitions, and deliberated on numerous Statement requests.
The Speaker attributed this success to strong leadership, capacity building for Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and staff, and enhanced public access to information.
A significant milestone was the Assemblyโs inaugural open day held in June 2024, which strengthened collaboration with stakeholders.
โWe are committed to effective legislation, improved oversight, and delivering value to the people of Kisumu,โ Hon. Oraro said.
Mizani Africa, a leading research firm, organizes the awards to celebrate innovation and excellence in leadership.
According to the firmโs CEO, the rigorous selection process is based on objective and scientific research, ensuring that only exemplary leaders and institutions are honoured.
The Assembly’s recent accolades extend beyond the Mizani Awards. In November 2023, it received the 4th Ombudsman Huduma Award for enhancing access to information, thanks to infrastructure improvements implemented during the 2022/2023 financial year.
Hon. Oraro himself has earned personal recognition for his leadership. In March 2024, he was named the Best County Assembly Speaker in the Nyanza region at the Pollster Rankings Gala Awards held in Nakuru. In September 2024, he was ranked the second-best Speaker nationally at the ETA Awards, further solidifying his transformative leadership.
The Assemblyโs Clerk, Mr. Owen Ojuok, also received accolades as the Best Assembly Clerk in Nyanza region during the 4th County Gala Awards.
The Mizani Africa Awards also celebrated other notable leaders. Hon. Ndindi Nyoro of Kiharu was named Kenya’s Most Trusted MP, followed by Hon. Babu Owino of Embakasi East. Dr. Lilian Gogo of Rangwe and Suna West MP Peter Masara were ranked fourth and eighth nationally, respectively.
As Kisumu Assembly continues its legislative journey, the leadership aims to build on these successes. Kisumu Assembly remains committed to fostering trust, delivering impactful legislation, and driving Kisumuโs development forward. Its story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public serviceโqualities that make it a beacon of hope and inspiration for other County Assemblies in Kenya.
In a bid to facilitate financial and operational efficiency of the City of Kisumu, the County Assembly has approved a motion to grant the entity a semi-autonomous status.
The motion tabled by Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Committee Chairperson Hon. Rhatib Boitone and adopted by the House also mandated the Executive to facilitate smooth transfer of functions, assets, liabilities and staff to the Kisumu City Board and to ensure all necessary frameworks are in place for its full operationalization.
The County Assembly further tasked the CECM for Finance and Economic Planning to ensure timely transfer of all funds allocated to the City Board in the County Approved Budgets and tasked the agency to develop comprehensive policies, regulations and guidelines to govern the the provision of services within its jurisdiction.
Insightful deliberations on the Kisumu County proposed Budget Estimates for the FY 2024/2025 as the discussions centre on key priorities for the County.
Today’s meeting is looking at the proposed figures for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation; Sports, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs; Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, and the County Assembly Kisumu.
The Department of Finance and Economic Planning led by CECM Hon. George Okongโo is present to validate the departmental budget proposals.
The sector engagements which are also looking into the issues raised during public participation are chaired by Kondele MCA Hon. Joachim Oketch who is also the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
In a bid to make budget making process more participatory and all- inclusive, the Budget & Appropriations Committee chaired by Kondele Ward Representative Hon. Joachim Oketch today kicked off a consultative engagment with County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and their technical staff to discuss public participation reports and observations/ recommendations that came as a result of interrogation of the proposed departmental budget estimates by various sectoral committees.
The aim of the meetings that have also brought together all sectoral committee chairpersons is to ensure that no department is disenfranchised in the allocations and that their estimates are aligned with the key priorities of the County.
” Our intention is to ensure that the Ksh13 billion budget enables the County Government to address key priorities such as completion of all stalled/ incomplete projects, repair/ construction of roads damaged by the prolonged rainfall and to address the issue of the pending bills, among other key priorities,” Hon. Oketch highlighted.
