County to construct palatial home that Ojaamong rejected

Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong during the issuance of cheques to needy but bright students at the Agricultural Training Centre on January 18, 2019. Photo by Ignatius Odanga/Standard

The county government has gone against the wishes of the governor and advertised a tender to build him a house.

Governor Sospeter Ojaamong had in June last year rejected an offer to build him an official residence after a meeting with members of the county assembly.

The county yesterday advertised a tender for the construction of homes for Ojaamong and his deputy Moses Mulomi. Ojaamong’s home will be in Bugengi while Mulomi’s will be in Mundika.

Mr Ojaamong had said there was no need to build him, his deputy and Speaker Bernard Wamalwa homes at the expense of development.

The governor was categorical that funds set aside to build the three houses would be re-allocated to the Health department and used to build a morgue at the Busia Referral Hospital.

Official residence

At least Sh40 million had been factored in the 2019/2019 budget for the construction of Ojaamong’s official residence in Bugengi in Matayos constituency.

A similar amount was also set aside to build a house for Mr Wamalwa.

“Money that was to be used to construct the governor and speaker’s residences will be expunged from the budget and channelled to development. We will continue staying in our current homes,” said Ojaamong at the time.

The governor asked ward representatives to prioritise development programmes that had been picked by residents.

“Let us look into the projects our people want and ensure they are captured in our budget so that their implementation can be easy,” he said.

A tender to build Wamalwa a house was the first to be advertised.

Ojaamong, who spoke after meeting MCAs at the Agricultural Training Centre, said the county government was acting on a directive from the national government.

He added that his administration had been given until June to build him a house.

The county also advertised tender for the construction, management and running of lorry parks in the border towns of Busia and Malaba.

The parks are aimed at reducing frequent traffic jams in the two towns, which is caused by heavy commercial vehicles destined for neighbouring Uganda.