Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has urged residents of Nyanza to work closely with the government in implementation of development projects in the region.
Speaking Saturday when he distributed relief food in Ndhiwa and Rangwe constituencies in Homa Bay County, Owalo said development projects should not be politicized.
The CS said President William Ruto’s government is committed to implementing development projects in the region regardless of voting patterns in the last elections.
The CS said that the elected leaders should stop politics and embrace development in the region.
“It is time for development. Politics has already been overtaken by events. The ongoing distribution of the relief food should not be construed as politics,” Owalo said.
He said it was wrong for any elected leader to associate development with politics.
“All we are doing is aimed at benefiting the people. The elected leaders should not shy away from working with the government in implementation of development projects for helping the people,” Owalo said.
Suba South Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi who accompanied the CS said national government remains with largest share of the national budget and resources.
He said it is prudent for elected leaders to cooperate with the government to promote development.
Omondi who was elected on an ODM ticket said he will not fear working closely with President Ruto’s administration.
“The national government wields resources which can transform lives of the people who elected us. Any elected leader should develop rapport with the government to enhance mobilization of resources. I don’t know why an MP can fear working with the government,” Omondi said.
Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado told elected leaders in the region to prioritise interest of the people who yearn for development rather than their own selfish interests.
“Let nobody cheat Nyanza residents that there’s another government apart from the one of Dr Ruto. Let’s join hands and support the government,” Obado said.
Former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo who was also present said they will always support Owalo because he is the representative of Nyanza residents in Ruto’s cabinet.
The government disbursed a total of 560 bags of rice and 560 bags of beans to be distributed to the people per constituency for Ndhiwa and Rangwe. Each bag weighs 50kgs.
Distribution of the relief food has been undertaken in Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu and Siaya.
MP Omondi, former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, former MPs Martin Ogindo (Rangwe) and Ochieng’ Daima (Nyakach) have criticised the elected leaders for shying away from working with the government.
By Davis Langat and Nicholas Otieno
