Controversy over newly created Usigu sub-county

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda chats with students when he disbursed bursary funds worth Sh65 million. [Isaiah Gwengi, Standard]

Confusion has marred the recent creation of Usigu sub-county which has been split from Bondo sub-county in Siaya County.

Usigu has been serving as the divisional headquarters for more than five decades.

While the residents have welcomed the new development, there is confusion over the new administrative unit.

Speaking while disbursing bursary worth Sh65 million to bright and needy learners in Bondo, area MP Gideon Ochanda said that the new administrative unit was created to bring services closer to the people.

According to Ochanda, Usigu is vast and extends to Lake Victoria therefore deserves a new sub-county.

“We have more than three habitable islands in Usigu and this therefore makes it a unique area that requires special consideration,” said Ochanda.

The lawmaker said that the new administrative offices have been completed, adding that plans are in top gear to have a new Deputy County Commissioner deployed in Usigu.

“Our people should understand that Bondo is still a constituency and we only have one MP.  The constituency will be split when the time comes,” said Ochanda.

Ochanda, who said they are considering having the constituency split during the delimitation exercise by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), said Bondo has met the threshold for sub-division.

“We would wish to be given priority once the process of delimitation of boundaries by the IEBC kicks off,” said the lawmaker.

The 2019 census showed Bondo constituency had 197,883 residents, translating to 330 people per square kilometre.

Ochanda decried poor service delivery in the second most populous constituency in Siaya County.

Article 89 of the 2010 Constitution requires IEBC to review names at intervals of not less than eight years and not more than 12 years.

“We are over stretched and therefore urging the electoral body to use the data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and the 2019 census results to guide the review of the electoral boundaries,” he said.

He added that the commission should critically take into account geographical features, community interests as well as the socio-economics of the constituency.