Siaya Governor James Orengo has attributed the slow progress on county development projects to delayed funds from the National Treasury. He dismissed claims of county mismanagement in a recent address. The County Assembly Speaker added that internal issues need urgent attention.
Governor James Orengo spoke outside the Siaya County Assembly, explaining that the county's development projects cannot advance until the National Treasury releases exchequer funds. He stated, “We have no control over when the Treasury releases money or when the Controller of Budget approves expenditure.” Orengo emphasized that all major projects have been fully funded through assembly appropriations and none have been abandoned.
The national-level financial bottleneck has created an impression of inefficiency at the county level, despite the devolved unit preparing its development schedule months in advance. Siaya residents have voiced concerns over minimal activity on some flagship projects.
Assembly Speaker George Okode weighed in, noting that the county must urgently resolve several internal administrative matters impacting service delivery. He highlighted staff welfare as a key issue, beginning with paying owed daily subsistence allowances to county employees, which the governor has prioritized. Okode added that the governor is aware of the long-standing problem of staff in acting capacities, and the county will regularize these positions to provide stable, formal contracts.
The speaker commended the governor for forming a panel to expedite the recruitment of new Public Service Board members and fill the vacant CEO role. He stressed the need to address staffing shortages, particularly in healthcare, to avoid service disruptions. This follows the dismissal of 382 healthcare workers in September due to a fraudulent hiring process, where vetting confirmed only 120 out of over 500 as legitimate.