Leaders and professionals from Siaya county have declared their support for Eliud Owalo’s presidential bid, citing his 10-point agenda as a transformative economic blueprint for the Nyanza region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Siaya, the professionals led by Philemon Wachara said that Owalo’s plan was not a collection of isolated projects but a deliberate strategy to re-engineer production, value addition and connectivity across the lake region.
Addressing the media in Siaya town, the professionals said that his commitment to the construction and operationalisation of the Koru–Soin and Magwagwa dams to provide clean energy, household water, irrigation and flood control would greatly impact the Nyanza region and the country at large.
“His record as ICT Cabinet Secretary, where his Ministry was voted the least corrupt by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), reinforces our confidence in him,” said Wachara, who read a press statement on behalf of the professionals.
He said that the immediate former Deputy Head of Public Service in charge of Performance and Delivery in the Office of the President is a continentally renowned strategist, adding that his track record as a performer in whatever position he has held has been reaffirmed by pollsters.
Speaking on behalf of professionals and women caucus, Susan Goro said that Owalo’s agenda resonates with women and employed Kenyans who are burdened by high taxation.
Goro said that Kenyan workers were feeling the pinch of high taxation and were in full support of Owalo’s move to reduce tax.
“If he can reduce taxation from 35% to 20%, why not support him?” she posed.
Her colleague, Pauline Precious Odongo, praised Owalo’s record of supporting grassroots enterprises, citing his role in establishing women saccos, enterprise training and seed capital programmes adding that this initiative has revived small businesses and empowered women.
Odongo said during his short stint in the Cabinet, Owalo managed to help establish 29 savings and credit societies across the region.
“He is among the leaders who pushed for rural electrification and establishment of ICT hubs in the rural areas that are now benefiting our children,” she said.
By Philip Onyango
