Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi has called on residents of Siaya to take to the streets this week to oppose the county government’s plan to construct new county headquarters on the Siaya Farmers Training Centre (FTC) land.
In a statement on Monday, September 8, the MP said the demonstrations set for Thursday, September 11, are aimed at rejecting Governor James Orengo's administration's plan to develop the land.
"I am calling upon Siaya residents to come out on Thursday, September 11, 10 AM to protest over the construction of a new county headquarters on the Siaya Farmers Training Centre land at the expense of development of a fully fledged university! This will be the mother of all protests," he declared.
Atandi argued that the land in question should be entirely dedicated to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Siaya Town Campus to facilitate its expansion.
"Siaya FTC sits on a 50 acre land. New Orengo county headquarters takes 15 acres. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University to be allocated 25 acres. A university needs 50 acres not 25 acres! Hand over the whole title deed to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University for development of a fully fledged university in Siaya. We do not need a new county headquarters," he added.
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Atandi first brought the matter to the public attention on Tuesday, August 28, accusing the county government of misplaced priorities.
In a statement, he revealed that his attempts to persuade Orengo to allocate the land to the university had not been successful.
He cautioned that the institution might be forced to relocate if the county insists on going ahead with the project.
"Siaya county government has earmarked Siaya Farmers Training Centre, currently hosting JOOUST campus for construction of a new county headquarters. My efforts to convince Orengo to donate the land to the university has failed. The university has no option but to exit," he said.
Atandi further questioned the logic behind the project, insisting that the community would gain more from a fully-fledged university than additional government offices.
"We would rather have the university on that land than county government offices. We gave you our votes as the residents of Siaya, so we are urging you to stop this plan. How many people will benefit from an office compared to a university?" he wondered.
Atandi cautioned that displacing JOOUST would disrupt ongoing studies and research, while also hurting small businesses that depend on the student population.
"That university brings progress, business opportunities, and jobs. If it exits, Siaya town will collapse,” he further said.
Atandi went on to accuse Governor Orengo of ignoring the will of the people.
"You always say you are democratic, but on this one, you are autocratic. You are becoming a dictator. Allow the university to stay," he added.
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