Siaya Governor James Orengo is mounting an ambitious balancing act: calming fears among restless health workers over delayed pay while simultaneously steering Siaya County into the spotlight of national and regional investment through the upcoming Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025).
The Governor has in recent days widened his outreach, engaging in boardroom meetings with business executives, forging deals with development partners, and reaching directly to the public through local radio talk shows. His strategy is clear: keep the county’s workforce reassured even as he builds confidence among investors ahead of what is billed as Siaya’s most transformative economic event.
Promises on Salaries and Health Sector Concerns
Governor Orengo has faced pressure following reports of delayed salaries and health worker unrest in recent weeks. Nurses staged demonstrations accusing the county of neglect and late payments, fueling perceptions of a strained administration.
But speaking on Ramogi TV and later on Ramogi FM, Orengo pushed back strongly.
“We have always paid our staff on time. August salaries were cleared last week when the National Treasury released funds. We have already requested September salaries. Some counties have not even received July payments,” Orengo told listeners.
On the sensitive issue of health workers, the Governor disclosed that an independent audit had been commissioned to address claims of mismanagement in the health payroll. He also pledged to meet affected workers “case by case” to resolve grievances, signaling a mix of accountability and dialogue.
His approach seeks to defuse tension while reinforcing the administration’s credibility in the lead-up to SITICO 2025.
SITICO: “Siaya on the Map”
If salaries and strikes represent Orengo’s immediate challenge, SITICO is his grand stage. Scheduled for October 14–17, 2025, the investment forum will be graced by President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga, and an array of regional dignitaries.
The Governor says the event has already attracted silver-tier sponsorships worth millions, signaling serious buy-in from corporate partners. His administration is marketing SITICO as the launchpad for Siaya’s economic revolution.
Infrastructure and Ports: Building Investor Confidence
Central to Orengo’s pitch are projects designed to unlock Siaya’s latent wealth:
Ports: Development plans are underway for Usenge Beach, Luanda Kotieno, Wich Lum, and Asembo Bay, transforming the lakefront into a hub of trade, transport, and tourism.
Roads: The Luanda–Ngiya road has been completed, while tarmacking continues on the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga ring road to improve connectivity.
Markets: Local markets such as Akala and Ndori are under construction with blended funding from the county and national government.
Orengo frames these developments as tangible proof that Siaya is investment-ready. “The face of the county will change drastically after SITICO. We want industries to come here, we want jobs for our youth,” he told listeners.
Selling Siaya’s Natural Wealth
Beyond infrastructure, the Governor is amplifying Siaya’s natural and cultural riches to woo investors:
Gold deposits in Bondo, Alego-Usonga, and Rarieda.
Fisheries and ports on Lake Victoria.
Got Ramogi, with its heritage artefacts, as a prime tourist attraction.
“Siaya is a land of riches. We have everything it takes to be an industrial hub,” Orengo said during one of his recent media appearances.
The Balancing Act Ahead
While the Governor rallies support for SITICO, skepticism remains among sections of the public who question whether the investment conference will translate into jobs and tangible improvements for ordinary citizens. The recent nurses’ strike underscored lingering discontent, and the success of Orengo’s dual messaging—reassuring workers while projecting confidence to investors—will be tested in the coming weeks.
Yet the Governor is betting big on visibility and engagement. His media blitz and development tours suggest he sees SITICO not just as an investment forum but as a referendum on his administration’s vision.
As Siaya counts down to October 14th, the stakes are high: the county must simultaneously prove it can pay its workers on time, deliver ongoing projects, and convince investors that it is the next frontier for growth in Western Kenya.
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