Good week for Ongwae as he lands yet another post in COG

Kisii Governor James Ongwae during the Council of Governors’ election. [Courtesy]

Barely a week after being elected to deputise Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), Kisii Governor James Ongwae has landed yet another plum post in the Council of Governors (COG).

Governor Ongwae was elected to chair the Human Resources, Labour and Social Welfare Committee in an election that saw Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya retain his seat as the council’s chairman.

Speaking to Standard Digital on phone, Ongwae thanked his colleagues for trusting his abilities, adding that the appointments were a clear indication that he commanded respect from his peers.

“I am grateful for the position and will strive to serve Kenyans for the next one year,” said the governor.

Ongwae said he will ensure the interests and aspirations of Kisii county people and Kenyans at large are well represented in the (CoG).

“This week has been a great one for Kisii people because they now have someone who will champion their interest in high-level devolution forums,” he said.

LREB post

Ongwae was last week elected LREB deputy chairman during the two-day Lake Region Economic Bloc forum held at Siaya Medical Training College.

Ongwae said he will spearhead the health docket and ensure that the region delivers on its mission.

He said there is need to improve on diagnostic and medical teleconference across the 12 counties in the bloc.

"We need to share diagnostic experiences. Implementation is key in this process. We also seek to share medical experts in our counties."

Governors Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang'a) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) were handed term as CoG vice chairman and chief whip respectively.

Committee chairs

Others elected committee chair during the CoG election include Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati elected to chair Finance, Planning, Economic Affairs and Information and Communication Technology Committee while Health Committee went to Mohamed Abdi Kuti (Isiolo).

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki was elected Agriculture Committee chair, while his Kilifi county counterpart Amason Kingi landed the Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Intergovernmental Relations, Security and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Nyeri’s Mutahi Kahiga landed the Education Committee while West Pokot Governor John Lonyang’apuo got Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Committee.

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony will chair the Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Services Committee while Narok’s Samwel Tunai will head Tourism and Natural Resource Management Committee

The Trade, Investment, Manufacturing and cooperatives Committee went to Embu Governor Martin Wambora while his Nakuru counterpart Lee Mayiani Kinyanjui landed the Urban Development, Housing, Planning, Energy, Infrastructure and lands Committee.