Siaya leaders urge residents to accord Ruto peaceful reception on his official visit
By Eric Juma, October 11, 2025Siaya residents have been urged to give President William Ruto a rousing welcome when he arrives in Siaya for the official opening of the Siaya Trade and Investment Conference at Siaya National Polytechnic on October 14, 2025.
Senator Oburu Oginga and Governor James Orengo asked the area residents to turn out in large numbers and welcome the president.
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“I want to see peace reign during the president’s visit. Let’s steer clear of disruptive initiatives that will soil the reputation of the community,” Oburu said.
Oburu, while speaking at the Bondo digital hub on Friday, October 10, 2025, noted that the region has lagged behind in development for many years, but for the first time, we have a president who is ready to transform the area, and we must give him full support.
“Development thrives in a peaceful environment, adding that a cow that receives ‘harsh treatment’ cannot produce a lot of milk for the owner,” Oburu remarked.
Orengo said they are set to meet a group of investors at Siaya National Polytechnic to explore the possibilities of funding the revitalisation of cotton production, fish farming and other unexploited opportunities in the region.
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Governor James Orengo disclosed that MPs, Members of the County Assembly, and other county leaders are scheduled to meet with investors on October 14th-17th, 2025, to work out the modalities of the venture that is expected to turn around the high poverty levels that have continued to be recorded in the region.
“We as Siaya leaders are serious about reviving the once vibrant cotton industry in the area and the collapsing fish industry and promoting oil production and tourism as a strategy to uplift the living standards of our people,” Orengo said.
“We have been using various platforms, including to advertise all the existing investment opportunities in the county as a way of improving the lives and development opportunities available in the county,” he added.
Siaya is engulfed with chronic hunger and high poverty levels despite its high potential for economic growth.
Trade Chief Officer Elizabeth Adongo further stated that the county government and the Tourism Department will also use the conference as an opportunity to showcase Siaya County’s rich culture, as well as attract more investors to the county.
The CO has therefore called on all development partners to take advantage of the investment conference to recognise the available investment opportunities in the county.
Other leaders
The chairman of the Siaya Chamber of Commerce, Stephen Obewo, challenged Siaya residents to brace themselves for economic change in the region, adding that the locals must be ready to exploit their farms to feed the proposed economic ventures.
He called for the formation and strengthening of cooperative societies, which he said were the best vehicles to boost agricultural production instead of relying on women and youth groups.
He said that the cooperative societies were expected to play a major role in the production and marketing of both cotton and other crops.
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Obewo said the government was committed to poverty alleviation ventures in the rural areas and challenged the locals to tap the available resources.
He said with the coming investors, lots of projects ranging from agriculture to industry sectors will be initiated in the county to help our people at the grassroots to improve on their farming activities to have both “food on the table” and “money in their pockets”.
LREB CEO Victor Nyagaya has lauded the Orengo-led administration for prioritising the investment conference, saying it’s going to provide a high-level platform for government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and diaspora stakeholders to explore trade and investment opportunities.
Nyagaya asked Siaya residents to write quality proposals to food and agriculture organisations to attract funding to undertake six key value chains: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables.
The funding will help them facilitate projects aimed at eradicating poverty, conserving their environment, and building flourishing societies.
When small-scale farmers sell their produce on a larger scale, they’re able to earn more, save more and invest in their businesses.
“Even as we prepare to host investors, FAO has presented an opportunity to us, so Siaya businesspersons should put their brains to work so as to get millions to roll out projects,” he added.