Siaya County Commissioner (CC), Norbert Komora has taken a swipe at local public servants for skipping national events in the area.
Addressing this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya town, Komora said national day celebrations must be observed by all including civil servants.
“It is not the time for public officials to stay away and relax watching television. We must celebrate with members of the public, while responding to their issues,” said the CC, who was flanked by his deputy, Robert Ng’etich and county police commander, Samuel Kobina.
Komora said those who feel that they cannot join the public during the celebrations have an option of resigning to pave way for those who will respect the government.
Consequently, Komora ordered departmental heads who skipped the Mashujaa day event to submit a written explanation to his office and tasked a senior administrative officer in his office to ensure the affected national government departments respond accordingly.
At the same time, the CC led other Siaya leaders in thanking president Dr. William Ruto and the government for recognizing and according a hero from the county, Raila Amollo Odinga with a state burial Sunday.
He hailed county residents for conducting themselves with dignity and ensuring that the late former prime minister, Raila Odinga was accorded an exemplary send off in Bondo.
“President Ruto accorded us great honour by ensuring that one of our own was buried with great honour, which he deserved, for what he had done for the country, the continent and the world at large” said the CC.
He said that the government had invested more than Sh9.5 billion in various development projects in Siaya, among them affordable housing, modern markets, upgrading of the stadium and the modernization of the county referral hospital.
Addressing the occasion, Rev. Naftali Siwa urged leaders to ensure they helped people solve problems that afflict the society.
“We need to remember that leadership is an opportunity to bring change and help solve problems,” he said.
Siaya governor, James Orengo, in a speech read by Alego – Usonga sub county administrator, Vitalice Ochieng, said Mashujaa Day was a living testimony of Kenyans shared values and aspirations.
Orengo also hailed the government for the recognition of Raila Odinga as a national hero and according him a befitting send off.
by Philip Onyango
