Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has faulted some national government officials at the Kenya Forest Service for allegedly contributing to the destruction of Kakamega forest. Governor Oparanya has expressed his disappointment over the illegal logging going on in Kakamega forest pointing an accusing finger at some corrupt national government officials at the Kenya Forest Service for playing a role in the destruction of the forest.
He has appealed for investigation into the illegal activities going on in the forest and ensure all perpetrators are held responsible. “As you are aware our County has been on the receiving end of the illegal logging at the Kakamega forest, the only remaining rain forest in this
part of the world. I strongly condemn the fact that this has been allowed to go on for a long time by some corrupt national government officials at the Kenya Forest Service. It is regrettable that those entrusted to safeguard our country’s heritage are responsible for its
destruction,” said the Governor.
Elsewhere Oparanya regretted the worrying trend of corruption and has fully supported the current efforts in fighting the vice in various arms of the government.
The Kakamega Governor said the fight against graft must be guided by the law of the land without employing shortcuts, adding that people suspected of corruption should be thoroughly investigated, charged and punished in accordance with the law of the land. “I condemn in the strongest language possible the latest revelations about the wanton theft of public funds at the National Youth Service (NYS). Kenyans do not need any more evidence that the Jubilee government has been paying lip service to the fight against corruption,” said Oparanya.
He said those responsible should face the full force of the law and the assets from their ill-gotten wealth forfeited to the state.
At the same time governor Oparanya said the cartels responsible for the maize scam at the National Cereals and Produce Board should never be allowed to get away with it through their godfathers in powerful position in the government.
“Their acts amount to direct assault on the country’s food security as
they have greatly demoralized our hardworking farmers, they too should
face the full force of the law,” said Oparanya.
On development, Oparanya, who was speaking at Moi Girls Nangili during the madaraka day celebrations, said his administration had stepped up efforts to create a conducive environment to attract investors into the county by upgrading road network and infrastructure development as well as beautification of urban areas and installation of street
lights.
He also disclosed that the county government was committed to fast-tracking the enactment of investment laws. He disclosed already the county government had signed a memorandum of understanding with a Swedish company to invest three billion shillings
to build an energy generating plant that will help optimize waste management. He said the venture will help create 200 jobs for Kakamega residents.
He said the county has also great potential in development of agro-based industries to ensure farmers produce including tea, maize and milk are processed by locally based plants for sale within the county and beyond adding that negations with potential investors were
at an advance stage.