Kisumu — Kisumu Governor, Anyang' Nyong'o, has dismissed claims made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi that Kisumu County is a hostile investment environment.
Nyong'o rejected the accusation made by the top government official over the weekend terming it as mere propaganda replete with ethnic profiling.
He reiterated that despite the destruction of property during the weekly demonstrations called by the Azimio wing, his administration had worked closely with the security organs to guarantee safety and security in Kisumu.
"We are aware that propaganda from those who are jealous of our progress have, in the view of the protests demanding electoral justice and lowering of the cost of living, try to portray Kisumu as an insecure place for investments. Nothing could be further from the truth," said Prof. Nyong'o during a press briefing on Monday.
He reiterated that the lakeside city has in the recent past achieved tremendous milestones in investment and development assuring all the investors of the security of their property.
Mudavadi made the remarks on Kisumu's insecurity while rebuking the opposition's stand on their quest to go back to the streets in the coming weeks to push the government to act on their grievances.
He was addressing mourners in Chandumba Village, Vihiga County on Saturday.
Nyong'o regretted that Mudavadi has not officially recorded complaints regarding the insecurity of his own investments and properties in Kisumu.
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"Musalia himself is a landowner and a notable investor in the city of Kisumu, I have not, as the Governor of this County, received any complaints regarding the insecurity of his investments here. Instead, he has recklessly tried to besmirch Kisumu's reputation to achieve selfish political ambition," the county boss lamented.
Further, Nyong'o apportioned blame on the goons sponsored by individuals from other political outfits to infiltrate the peaceful protests to propagate criminal activities and cause havoc in Kisumu's Central Business District.
He pledged the region's unwavering support behind the Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga in his quest to liberate Kenyans from political oppression, electrical injustices, economic marginalization and growing poverty and hunger.
"We shall demonstrate peacefully, fully conscious that our detractors are ready to capitalize on the demos to destroy the gains achieved in investments and developments in the area," he said.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce (KNCC) Kisumu Branch Chairman Israel Agina refuted the insecurity remarks levelled against Kisumu town as pure political gimmicks.
"As members of the business community, we have not been served any complaints by foreign or local investors about security threats in the region. Hence, we thank the County and National governments for their joint efforts to secure properties and lives," said Agina.
