ASK Showground, Kisumu July -The County Assembly of Kisumu emerged as the best stand in that category at this year’s Kisumu Agricultural Society of Kenya (East Africa) regional show.
The assembly impressed the judges by adhering to the theme of the event ‘Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth’.
Assembly Clerk Owen Ojuok, while speaking after receiving their award, said that they had answered all the questions asked by the judges positively.
Ojuok also told the judges that the assembly has been at the forefront in passing the requisite bills, which are in conformity with the theme of the show.
He said they have also fast-tracked bills which are aimed at promoting agriculture and climate change.
Ojuok said they are alive to the fact that climate change has a direct bearing on farming and crop behaviour. He said they have been focusing on resource use among the local residents.
Furthermore, Ojuok said, the assembly has been actively engaging the public on legislation related to agricultural development and trade, with a focus on climate-smart innovation and investment in agriculture.
He said they have passed the Kisumu County Crops Act and the Kisumu County Climate Change Act.
Ojuok said the requisite committees of agriculture and trade were at the stand to educate the public. The hundreds of members of the public were educated on the roles of the assembly namely oversight and legislation.
He said the assembly passes laws after which the executive implements them. The assembly exhibited a miniature chamber and a mace and demonstrated how they operate.
The award was presented by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Managing Director, Wycliffe Ochiaga, while in the company of Kisumu Regional Show Chairman George Ong’udi and the Chief Steward, Rose Omondi, at the Mamboleo Showground.
Ochiaga lauded the assembly for aligning itself with the theme of the show. The managing director said climate-smart agriculture is the way to go in the wake of the vagaries of climate change and the attendant effects.
He said the LBDA will partner with the assembly in terms of fast-tracking various bills that are relevant to the needs of the citizenry. Several committees at the assembly were also present at the stand.
Kisumu County Assembly has in the past been recognised as one of Kenya’s most trusted legislative bodies, clinching third position in the coveted Mizani Africa Awards.
The awards ceremony, held recently at The Weston Hotel, Nairobi, celebrated outstanding innovation and leadership across the country.
