Residents of Asembo and Gem have cried foul over the list of seven nominees to the positions of Chief Officers that was recently presented to the County Assembly for vetting and approval by H.E Governor Cornel Rasanga.
Speaking during public participation forums conducted today by the House Committee on Appointments chaired by Speaker George Okode, members of the public from the two areas condemned what they termed as ‘intentional marginalization of their regions in the County public service appointments due to the perception that they did not vote for the Governor’.
In West Asembo Ward, members of the public who thronged the Mahaya Chief’s Camp expressed their displeasure with the list of Chief Officers submitted to the County Assembly saying it did not take due consideration of the principle of regional balance.
They remarked that the list had no single representative from Asembo; further saying it was unfair for Alego Usonga to be given three slots.
At Jamii Hall in Yala Ward, members of the public said the reason why they petitioned the House was that they feel short-changed by the appointing authority in the filling of jobs in the County public service ‘despite having voted for the Governor’.
The residents called for a total rejection of the list of seven saying it neither represented the face of Siaya County nor the interests of the youth, people with disabilities and women.
House Speaker, George Okode, promised the people of Siaya that the Appointments Committee will take into consideration their views in line with Article 1(1) which opines that all sovereign power belongs to the people.
He committed that the Committee will lay its report on the Floor of the House on Tuesday, 26th February, 2019.
