Siaya County is steadily finding its footing on the development front, and according to Eng. Adrian Ouma, this is no accident of political rhetoric but the result of deliberate policy choices and execution by Governor James Orengo’s administration.
Speaking on HARD TALK, Siaya County’s premier online talk show, Ouma — a former County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in the Siaya County Government and now a hospitality industry investor — offered a rare, data-driven critique of Governor Orengo’s 3rd State of the County Address, distancing himself from what he termed “lazy sycophancy” in political commentary.
“You don’t assess government from emotion. You assess it from outcomes,” Ouma remarked.
Ouma argued that, viewed objectively, Governor Orengo has delivered close to 80 per cent of the Nyalore Manifesto within his first term — an achievement he said compares favourably with many county administrations nationwide.
He noted that the governor’s State of the County address correctly highlighted healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure and governance reforms as the backbone of Siaya’s development agenda, adding that these pillars are now visible on the ground.
Agriculture: From Subsidies to Structural Reform
Commenting on agriculture, Ouma agreed with Orengo’s emphasis on revitalizing production rather than issuing policy statements. He pointed to the distribution of farm inputs, expanded extension services and the reorganisation of value-addition facilities as evidence of intent.
In particular, he praised the decision to place Siriwo Rice Mill in Usonga under private management, calling it a mature policy shift.
“The aim of government is not to conduct business,” Ouma said. “It is to create an enabling environment — through friendly taxation, licensing and, where necessary, privatisation — so the private sector can generate real profits.”
Drawing from his own investment experience, Ouma revealed that Siaya’s hospitality bed capacity has jumped from below 500 to nearly 3,000 beds in just two years under the Orengo administration.
He attributed this growth to improved infrastructure, better county branding and increased investor confidence — factors the governor referenced in his address when speaking about tourism and the broader service economy.
Ouma also echoed Orengo’s remarks on healthcare expansion, noting the rapid construction and upgrading of medical facilities, alongside improved availability of essential drugs.
On education, he acknowledged progress in ECD infrastructure and learning facilities, though he stressed that results will ultimately be judged by long-term outcomes rather than ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Private moments at Uhendo Beach Resort in Wich Lum, Bondo sub-County
Revenue Collection: Trend Matters More Than Rhetoric
Pressed by moderator Lawrence Jeffrey on discrepancies between official public data placing Siaya’s own-source revenue at slightly above KES 300 million and Governor Orengo’s repeated claim of figures nearing KES 900 million, Ouma declined to give a definitive reconciliation.
Instead, he focused on the broader picture.
“What matters is the direction of travel,” he said, noting that revenue automation and compliance reforms have clearly strengthened collection capacity, even if public validation of exact figures remains necessary.
While commending local media for holding leaders to account, Ouma criticized what he described as over-sensational reporting on alleged financial mismanagement and audit anomalies.
He urged journalists to align themselves with verifiable facts and audit trends, rather than amplifying speculation — especially as the county edges closer to the electioneering period.
Despite his largely positive assessment, Ouma offered constructive criticism, saying the State of the County address could have paid greater attention to youth empowerment.
He acknowledged that youth programmes are ongoing but argued they deserved clearer articulation in a speech meant to set the county’s strategic tone.
As political temperatures rise, Ouma called on Siaya residents to maintain a sober outlook.
“Recognise value, not propaganda,” he advised, urging voters to interrogate performance rather than personalities.
Known for his plain-speaking style and willingness to engage tough questions, Adrian Ouma remains a favourite within Siaya’s media fraternity. With speculation growing that the former senior official — who has served in both Kisumu City and Siaya County governments — may be eyeing an elective seat in Gem Constituency, his assessment of Governor Orengo’s record is likely to resonate well beyond the talk show.
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