By Nathan Eyagu

Amuria District  - The Member of Parliament for Orungo County and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jeje Odongo Abubakar, has pledged to roll out economic empowerment programs aimed at enabling households in Orungo County to earn up to Shs7 million annually, as part of a broader five-year development agenda.

Speaking to the media today, Odongo thanked voters for the confidence and trust they placed in him, describing his victory as a strong mandate to deliver on the pledges he made during the campaign period. The independent candidate secured 13,654 votes, defeating NRM’s Teddy Anyuk, who polled 9,223 votes.

“This victory is a reflection of the confidence the people of Orungo have in our vision. I am committed to working closely with them to fulfill the promises we made together,” Odongo said.

Wealth Creation at the Household Level

Odongo said his primary focus will be on improving household incomes through targeted livelihood programs designed to shift families from subsistence to commercial production. He explained that, through agriculture, value addition, and enterprise development, each household will be supported to earn between Shs5 million and Shs7 million annually.

Key interventions will include the introduction of high-value crops such as coffee, onions, tomatoes, and cabbages, alongside plans to promote cashew nut farming following ongoing engagements with private sector partners.

“Our aim is simple: every household should have a reliable source of income. When families earn better, communities become stable and prosperous,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized value addition as a central pillar of his strategy, noting that early initiatives have already begun in different parts of the constituency. He encouraged farmers to embrace processing, packaging, and collective marketing in order to increase profits and reduce losses.

He also highlighted plans to expand intensive agriculture, including poultry farming for eggs and meat, rabbit rearing, goat farming, and fish farming, describing these ventures as practical and scalable income opportunities for rural households.

Addressing Election Concerns

Odongo dismissed allegations questioning the credibility of his victory, stating that the election results clearly reflected the will of the people. He noted that while he lost in two sub-counties, he secured decisive victories across the rest of the constituency, including his opponent’s home sub-county.

“This was an honest and transparent election. The numbers clearly show that the people of Orungo accepted our message of hope and development,” he said.

He also rejected claims of election-related violence, challenging critics to present evidence and commending voters for conducting peaceful polls despite Orungo having earlier been labeled a potential hotspot by security agencies.

Call for Calm and Prepared Leadership Transition

On national matters, Odongo remarked on the need for the country to prepare for an eventual leadership transition, noting that demographic realities will naturally usher in new political actors in the coming years. He stressed the importance of experienced leadership to manage this transition responsibly.

Odongo concluded by thanking the people of Orungo for a peaceful election and reaffirming his commitment to deliver measurable improvements in incomes and livelihoods over the next five years.

“When we return to account, the difference in the lives of our people will be clear,” he said.