Cord team winds up US summit

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CORD team led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a session of the summit in Texas, US on Sunday. 

By ANTONY KARANJA in DALLAS, TX
Posted  Monday, July 29   2013 at  10:16

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and a delegation of  eight CORD Governors on Sunday wrapped up a two day Bi-National Governors Summit held in Irving Texas.

The summit which sponsored by the Network for Development of Youth, Inc started on Saturday and was organized to help the County Governors learn the nuisances of County Governance and well as seek investments for various Kenyan Counties.

However, Governors Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia) are expected in Memphis and Nashville Tennessee beginning Monday through Wednesday July 31.

During the meeting various speakers advised the CORD Governors on various issues of Governance and how to maintain vibrant counties.

One of the speakers who is a Republican Judge in Tarrant County Texas, Judge Glen Whitley and a member of the National Association of Counties (NACO) advised CORD Governors that in order to attract investments into their counties, they have to maintain security for investors to feel safe. He said without security, investors will be scared away.

Judge Glen also advised the Governors not to pick wars with the media as it is impossible to win against someone who "buys ink in a barrel."

He said that the media has always been tough on him but he understands their importance.

Another speaker was Professor/General Walter Huffman who spoke on objects and principals of Devolved Governments Democracy, Governance and the rule of law, Bill of Rights, Culture and Security. Prof Huffman is a Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at Texas tech in luboock, Texas. Prior to joining Texas Tech, he was a judge, and a top military lawyer for the U.S. Army.

Mr Odinga and the CORD Governors also met with Kenyans in a town hall meeting also held in Irving, Texas where many met their respective Governors for the first time.

The Governors enumerated various developments going on in their respective counties and asked Kenyans in the diaspora to invest in the Counties.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua enumerated his plans to have hospitals with short distances of each other to make them easily accessible while Governor Awiti also spoke of plans to improve health care in his County.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi asked Kenyans to be careful when buying property in Kenya and that they would be better served by hiring competent lawyers. He said that this is the best way to protect Diaspora investments.

Mr Odinga while addressing the gathering, asked Kenyans to invest at home and assist in development of the country. He also added that he hoped the government will do more to make sure the Diaspora will be able to vote in the next general elections terming the Diaspora as crucial.

The former Prime Minster also faulted the Jubilee Government of not making appointments that reflect the face of Kenya.

Mr Odinga said that the government has been claiming that its appointments represent the face of Kenya. "How can you make 60 per cent of cabinet appointments from two tribes and claim they reprint the face of Kenya?" he asked.

He said the Jubilee government needs to change its attitude for a better Kenya.