Senator Ojienda demands answers on transfer of County functions, state of rice farming and revitalisation of Kisumu Port

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟖 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Sen (Prof) Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) has called for clarity from the relevant Senate committees on critical issues affecting Kisumu County, ranging from governance and agriculture to trade and infrastructure.

Sen (prof) Ojienda has asked the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations to explain the recent transfer of core county functions from the County Government of Kisumu to the City of Kisumu, a move reported by The Standard on 20 January 2025.

He is seeking details on the legal basis for the transfer, the justification behind it and whether the public was consulted as required by the Constitution. The Senator has also raised concerns about the potential marginalisation of areas outside Kisumu City and has demanded an assessment of the impact on service delivery, equitable development, revenue allocation and financial oversight.

On agriculture, Sen (Prof) Ojienda has urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to provide an update on the state of rice farming in Kisumu County. He is particularly interested in the progress of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme Rehabilitation Project, including its funding, implementation timelines and challenges facing rice farmers.

He has also requested information on the current levels of rice production, efforts to boost productivity and the role of interventions by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Kenyan government in enhancing food security and sustainability in the sector.

Turning to trade and transport, Sen (Prof) Ojienda has asked the Senate Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to account for the stalled revitalisation of the Port of Kisumu.

Despite government-led efforts to revamp the facility, the port continues to operate at a fraction of its potential. The Senator wants an update on its current operational capacity, the status of the rail link between Mombasa and Kisumu and the government’s long-term strategy for improving port infrastructure. He has also called for a report on how authorities plan to attract private sector investment and regional partnerships to position Kisumu Port as a key trade hub.