By Dickens Wasonga.

The Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Owino Omollo who is aspiring for the Kisumu County Governorship has said that poverty in the region was politically induced by the past leadership and regimes.

Speaking in Kisumu soon after landing at the International Airport to stamp a mark as one of the potential contenders to the high office this morning, Omollo pledged to work to be known for fighting corruption by putting structures and systems in place to ensure projects initiated during his tenure benefits the local residents.

Owino said he was confident to win the gubernatorial seat owing to his vast experience spanning over 34 years during which he served in the government in different capacities before becoming the Deputy Clerk to the August House.

He challenged Kisumu County voters thoroughly probe the records of all those aspiring to various elective positions to ensure that they have committed people in the right places to spur economic growth of the County.

Referring to the 1993 Parliamentary Investment Committee (PIC) Report, Omollo disclosed that it depicted an interesting disclosure that a police post in Rongo which was purported to have been built at a cost of 300 million yet nothing was done on the ground, describing this as unfortunate and corrupt activities that will be history in Kisumu County if elected.

“If we fight corruption from a united front we will not only save government money but also double wealth production across the Country”, he said exuding confidence.

Omollo said that with the completion of Kisumu International Airport, he will prioritize the production of horticultural crops on a commercial scale so as to fully capitalize on the use of the facility to export outside the country.

He pledged to ensure that the government posts agricultural extension officers to work closely with the local farmers in a bid to boost food security,paraphrasing former Tanzanian president the Late Julius Nyerere that “Kazi kwa bidii bila maarifa ni kazi bure” (You need to work smart and hard to realize returns).

The Kisumu County Aspirant Governor who hails from Awasi in Nyando District of Kisumu County decried sugar cane farming which has turned out to be commonly referred to as ‘cursed’ crop which has continued to impoverish farmers even more instead of improving their economic status over the decades.

“It will be my first priority to ensure that the Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) decentralizes its headquarters fro Nairobi to the sugar belt (Kisumu and Kakamega) so that they can bring services closer to the target group”, he argued.

Omollo said it was unfortunate that some fellows who have never seen what sugar cane looks like have become billionaires and hails from outside Western Kenya region and as such have not been able to effectively promote the interest of farmers other than staying focused on enriching themselves.

“Our sugarcane farmers should also be discouraged from planting the ratoon but instead be provide with certified and fast maturing quality seeds, apart from promoting the use of irrigation in the vast area of Kano plains and the entire sugar belt covering Western Province as well to maximize income” , he said.

Omollo said that with credit, fertilizer and certified seeds the farmers will greatly transform their economic status and kick out poverty from their midst and as well as facilitate the growth of Kisumu County’s economy as anticipated by the various stakeholders fro within and outside the region.

The politician said it was unfortunate that farmers were being deducted millions of shillings in terms of cess fro cane delivered in various to the various factories but the road networks were still in a pathetic state thus forcing them to continue meeting the increased cost charged on cane production.

Apart from sugar cane, the politician stated, Kisumu County has huge potential in the rice fields in Kano, the fishing industry, Lake Victoria and numerous rivers which can all be tapped to help facilitate economic growth under the new devolved system of government Kenyans eagerly await to usher in come next year.

On the recent fire incident which razed a dormitory in Homa Bay County where eight pupils perished,Omollo appealed to teachers to put in place measures aimed at ensuring safety of the learners and restore hope in the parents who have entrusted them with the noble responsibility.

While condoling the bereaved families,Omollo said he shared in their pain and anguish while at the same time urging respective headteachers to strive to make their schools safe havens.

The Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly revealed that he has already submitted his application for retirement which has been accepted and he is set to leave office by December 3, 2012 to start his campaign proper.

END.