By Isaac Esitika and Yoga David
Urban Planning Specialist, Dr Charles K’onyango Otieno is Kisumu County’s new Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Land, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Kisumu County led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o today witnessed the swearing-in of Dr. K’onyango in a colorful ceremony held at the County headquarters.
Dr. K’onyango took the oath of office at the City hall, Kisumu, before the Kisumu Law Courts Chief Magistrate Hon. Dickson Onyango in a ceremony also attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Matthew Owili, County Secretary Hesbon Hongo, County Attorney Otieno Aluoka, fellow CEC Members George Okong’o (Finance), Judith Oluoch (Environment), Beatrice Odongo (Sports and Culture), Speaker Kisumu County Assembly, Elisha Oraro and City Manager, Abala Wanga.
Dr. K’onyango is a seasoned urban development expert with over 28 years of experience and has previously served in the National government as the National Director of Urban Development in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development.
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the significant expectations placed upon him.
“Your Excellency, I know just as it has been mentioned that my desk is full and a number of things are full. I know there is great expectation from the people of Kisumu and my colleagues based on my professional background and my experience in my previous assignments.” He said.
He assured the Governor and the people of Kisumu of his unwavering commitment, stating, “I will not leave any skill, any expertise, any knowledge that I have. I will put all that in place to ensure that the kind of advice and the duty and the service that I discharge to the people of Kisumu are to their expectation, because the expectation I know is very high and such high expectation also happens to me.”
Governor Anyang Nyong’o, in his address, emphasized the importance of the Lands. Physical Planning and Urban Development docket, particularly in the context of the county’s growth and development. He highlighted the distinction between national and county governments in land matters, noting the legal frameworks that govern land use and development.
He expressed optimism about Dr. K’Onyango appointment, citing his national government experience as a valuable asset.
“By getting someone who has done this in the national government to come down to the county level is an improvement,” he remarked.
Governor Nyong’o also expressed his confidence in Dr.Otieno’s ability to navigate the complexities of the docket, given his experience and expertise from serving the national government.
The Governor nominated Dr. K’onyango for the position on February 10 this year and forwarded his name to the County Assembly for vetting, following a cabinet reshuffle. The Kisumu County Assembly later vetted and approved him for the position.
The new CECM later accompanied the Governor for a roundtable meeting on Lands and Investment at Tom Mboya Labour College, which brought together key stakeholders to discuss land reforms and investment opportunities.
