Six governors from the Nyanza region have distanced themselves from a scheduled Nyanza International Investment Conference, expected to take place next month.
The Governors’ namely Anyang Nyong’o of Kisumu, James Orengo (Siaya), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Simba Arati (Kisii), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Ochilo Ayacko of Migori all said they have been sidelined in the planning of the conference.
According to the organisers of the conference in an advert in the local dailies, the six governors’ were lined up as speakers in the event that is slated for June 28-29, 2024 at Ciala Resort in Kisumu.
The county heads said they have not been briefed about the upcoming conference and only learnt about their participation in the local dailies.
“We have not received any formal briefing or invitation from the organisers, yet they are portraying us as participants,” the disgruntled governors said in a joint statement.
They objected to the Nyanza Professional Forum’s, the organizers of the conference, unilateral decision to associate their names with the upcoming event without their consent.
However, the county bosses agreed that they welcome all partners interested in contributing to the growth of the Nyanza region.
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“We have a history of hosting successful investment conferences and collaborating with various stakeholders to drive economic prosperity in the region,” they said.
The leaders have challenged the organizers to issue an apology for exploiting their names and images in promoting the conference without authorisation.
As a condition for their participation, the governors’’ demanded a transparent communication and inclusion in the planning and execution of the event.
They warned that they will not sit back and watch attempts to undermine devolution through such actions.
“As key players in the development and implementation of devolution in our counties, we find it troubling that us governors are being sidelined in a conference discussing devolved functions,” they said.
In the paid up advert, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and his Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu as Patrons of the planned conference.
President William Ruto was listed as the Chief Guest who will officially open the Conference alongside other Cabinet Secretaries and Ambassadors to be key speakers during the event.
The Conference, themed “Nyanza Rising-Towards Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development,” aims to address the urgent need for growth and development in the Nyanza region.
The primary purpose of the conference is to provide a platform for the region’s leaders, professionals and stakeholders at the international, national and local levels to showcase the region’s economic potential and present investment opportunities to potential investors
By Fredrick Odiero
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