The Kisumu County Assembly has appointed Nashon Kusina Opanga as its acting clerk following the retirement of long serving Clerk Owen Ojuok.
Ojuok has begun his terminal leave ahead of his official retirement next month, ending a career that saw him rise through the ranks of local government and lead the county assembly through a period of institutional growth.
Under Section 21 of the County Assembly Services Act, 2017, Opanga has taken over as acting clerk while the recruitment of a substantive clerk is undertaken.
Members of the County Assembly and assembly staff welcomed Opanga, who has served as deputy clerk for more than a decade.
An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Opanga brings extensive legal and administrative experience to the role, having worked closely with the assembly’s leadership on its legislative and procedural functions.
The assembly deputy majority leader Lumumba Owade described Opanga as an experienced and capable administrator.
“We have confidence in his ability to provide steady leadership and ensure continuity in the assembly’s administrative and procedural functions,” he said.
Owade said Opanga had demonstrated his ability during his time as deputy clerk and expressed confidence that he would build on the work of his predecessor.
“As the curtain falls on Ojuok’s tenure, he will be remembered for strengthening the institutional capacity of the assembly and supporting the effective delivery of its legislative, oversight and representative mandate,” Owade added.
Ojuok began his public service career at Ahero Town Council before rising to become clerk of the Kisumu County Assembly.
During his tenure, the assembly received several local and international awards.
He is credited with overseeing the establishment of the county assembly after devolution, introducing strategic planning and modernising administrative systems, including ensuring Hansard records were kept up to date.
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