Siaya Governor James Orengo has pushed back against critics accusing him of neglecting county development in favor of national politics, insisting that his administration has delivered significant projects despite limited resources.
Responding to the question of what he has achieved since taking office, Orengo outlined a series of development milestones in infrastructure, healthcare, and agro-industry.
“We have done a good job with the limited resources we have,” he stated, stressing that progress in the county remains a priority.
The governor highlighted road construction as a key achievement, noting that several major urban centers have benefited from improved transport networks.
“In the last three years, we have done ring roads and tarmacked roads in Ndori, Siaya Town, Yala, Sega, and we are ongoing in Usenge for urban growth,” Orengo said.
The improvements, he added, are intended to facilitate commerce, ease transport, and stimulate growth across the county’s urban hubs.
Healthcare has also seen significant investment under Orengo’s tenure. The governor pointed to newly constructed hospitals in Ugenya, Yala, and Ukwala, along with a complex facility in Siaya town itself.
“These facilities are designed to expand access to quality health services for residents across the county,” he said.
Orengo also cited the county’s strides in sports and agro-industry. Siaya now boasts the only stadium in the region with a tartan track, providing athletes with a professional training environment.
In agro-industry, the administration has launched a functional rice mill, and the upcoming financial year will see the construction of a cotton ginnery in Madiany, Rarieda, aimed at supporting local farmers and boosting economic activity.
The governor’s comments come amid criticism from some quarters that he has become overly involved in national politics, including his affiliation with the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party.
Orengo, however, insists that his activism does not detract from county development, underscoring that his focus remains on delivering tangible results for Siaya residents.
“People should judge us based on the projects and services we have delivered, not on the noise in national politics,” Orengo concluded, reaffirming his commitment to continue spearheading development initiatives across the county.