US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman ended her two-day tour of Homa Bay County on Thursday with a commitment to supporting the county's development agenda.
Whitman met with Governor Gladys Wanga and other county leaders to discuss areas of potential collaboration, including healthcare, education, and economic development.
During the tour, Ambassador Whitman visited Trees For The Future offices, where she appreciated the organization's and the county government's climate resilience intervention. She also toured a cotton plantation in the Pedo area of Homa Bay Town, expressing her embassy's willingness to lobby for investors to support the cotton value chain.
The second day of the tour included a grand reception at the county headquarters, a courtesy call on the governor, and a joint press briefing where both Governor Wanga and Ambassador Whitman affirmed their commitment to collaboration on key areas including lakefront development, healthcare, and economic investment.
Ambassador Whitman also visited Kendu Bay Fish Banda to gain an understanding of the fishing and fish value chain, discussing potential strategies to make the fishing industry more vibrant and create wealth for the local population. She also visited the historical site of Lake Simbi Nyaima and met with a women's group in Homa Bay Town East, donating solar-powered water pumps to support their organic farming initiatives.
The tour concluded with a visit to the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the ambassador and the governor visited the maternity section.
The US and Homa Bay County have a long history of cooperation, and this visit is a continuation of that partnership.
Whitman's specific focus on healthcare, education, and economic development is welcome news for the people of Homa Bay County. These are all areas where the county has made significant progress within a year, but there is still more work to be done.
