H.E President William Ruto embarked on yet another visit to Homa Bay County last month, underscoring his continued engagement with the region's development agenda. This two-day tour involved an extensive itinerary through several sub-counties, including Rachuonyo South, Rachuonyo North, Ndhiwa, and Suba North. Throughout his visit, the Head of State highlighted the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and community projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
During his tour, President
Ruto launched several ongoing initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth
and bolster public services in these areas. He took the opportunity to inspect
various development projects that are currently under construction, assessing
their progress and the impact they are expected to have on the local
population. The visit was characterized by interactions with community leaders
and residents, allowing him to gather feedback on the projects and discuss
plans to address the specific needs of each sub-county.
The 19 km Rusinga Island
Ring Road, constructed for KES 1.3 billion, was commissioned to
enhance the growth of the tourism, blue economy, and hospitality sectors in the
county. Additionally, the government has committed KES 17 billion to major road
projects in the county, which include the Karabok-Adiedo, Mbita-Sindo,
Kadel-Pala-Kanyadhiang, Nyalkinyi-Imbo, Lala-Maguti, Gor Mahia Ring Road,
Nyabera-Koguta, and Agolo Muok-Kiabuya-Magunga-Sindo roads, totalling a
combined 298 km of road network.
An additional KES 5.6
billion will be allocated for another 78 km of road network to address projects
such as Sikri-Lida, Mfangano Island Ring Road, Rusinga East Ring Road, and the
extension of the Gor Mahia Ring Road. The government will also expedite the
construction of the Great Lake Victoria Ring Road, which stretches from Port
Victoria in Busia County to Muhuru Bay in Migori County. In Homa Bay, the Homa
Bay-Samunyi-Kipasi and Sindo-Nyandiwa-Mikuyu-Sori roads will also be included
in this initiative.
The government is
constructing three major fish landing sites in the county: Mainuga in Rachuonyo
North, Wakula in Suba West, and Nyandiwa in Suba South. These sites will serve
as major fishing hubs and are expected to boost economic growth within the county.
Additionally, KES 250 million will be allocated to establish Fishermen Rescue Centres,
which will provide safe havens and rehabilitation units for fishermen in cases
of accidents and emergencies while on fishing expeditions.
The Kobodo Economic
Stimulus Program (ESP) Market has been commissioned. Along with the markets at
Misambi, Kendu Bay, Luanda Nyamasare, Sindo, and Kijebi, this market is part of
a plan to build a total of 18 ESP markets in various trading centres across
Suba, Ndhiwa, Homa Bay, and Rachuonyo.
The government is also set
to construct 7,000 affordable housing units in Oyugis, Kendu Bay, Rodi Kopany,
Rangwe, Ndhiwa, Magunga, and Mbita for KES 17 billion.
The Sondu-Homa Bay-Awendo
transmission line has been commissioned and is now operational at its Ndhiwa
substation. This KES 1.5 billion project aims to provide reliable power to the
region, benefiting over 70,000 households in Homa Bay and Migori counties and
boosting local enterprises. The government has committed KES 2.4 billion for
last-mile connectivity across the county, part of which was launched by the
President in Kologi early last year.
A KES 75 million pledge has
been made for the construction of a Level III hospital in Rodi Kopany.
Additionally, a KES 30 million dining hall and a school bus will be provided
for Agoro Sare High School.