Orengo to Ruto: I will not come to State House for development

By Peter Ochieng

Siaya governor James Bob Orengo says he will cooperate with President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration, for the sake of development.

However, the former Senator said he is against the idea of going to State House, Nairobi, to solicit for development projects.

"What I am against is that you have to go to State House to get development. That is false," said Orengo who was elected on the opposition Orange Democtratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.

He spoke on Friday, during president Ruto's visit of county.

Orengo added that the constitution allows him express authority to work with the Head of State on development matters.

"The constitution says that the county governments must work with the national government, nobody will ask me why I have come here; on the politics, we are playing, the constitution resolved that. We have come here because of development and not politics, when I got information that the President will be coming for development, I said I would attend."

"I want it to be known that I have come here for development and not playing politics, politics will wait for its day," Orengo said.

The president was accompanied by among others, Ugenya Member of Parliament (MP) David Ochieng and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communication Technology and Digital Economy Eliud Owalo - all former ODM members.

Governor Orengo insisted that he is in ODM to stay.

"Even if you come here and I am not present, please feel welcome, because as president, you are free to tour any part of the country for development. All these people here were in ODM, the president was in ODM, Ochieng' and Owalo were also in ODM; I am also in ODM for good."

Orengo was among leaders who attended the ground breaking of construction of the Ugenya level 4 hospital.

The president said they are keen on delivering quality healthcare for all.

"We are committed to delivering quality and affordable medical care to every Kenyan as envisioned in our Plan. Long-term investments in health will improve patient care and enhance disease surveillance and prevention across the country."

Ruto is on a four day visit of Nyanza.