Nominated senator Janet Ong’era has urged the leadership of Kisii and Nyamira Counties to utilise the recent allocation of Sh3.3 billion by the senate to all devolved units in agribusiness.
Speaking on Saturday at a burial ceremony in Borabu Constituency, senator Ong’era said that the region depended on agriculture predominantly hence there is need for Kisii Governor James Ongwae and his Nyamira counterpart John Nyagarama to invest heavily in agribusiness.
Ong’era said that the move will encourage the area farmers to have trust in agriculture, which has recently been deteriorating due to insufficient support from the national government.
She challenged the two governors to also consider upgrading feeder roads in the region to make transportation of agricultural products by farmers easier.
“The senate has allocated Sh3.3 billion to county government in addition to what they have been receiving. I now ask the two Gusii governors to invest in the agribusiness sector as a way of promoting our people,” said senator Ong’era.
The senator also said, “The issue of impassable roads in the rural areas is also thorny. It will be important if our governors put more resources in improving these roads for proper transportation of agricultural produce.”
Ong’era who is the former ODM Executive Director urged all governors to respect the senate since its jurisdiction is to supervise the county units.
“Time has come for governors to respect senators. We are the people who negotiate allocation of revenue to counties and therefore we need accountability,” said ODM Party nominated senator Ong’era.