Four new municipalities have been established in Homa Bay County in a bid to improve service delivery.
The new municipalities are Oyugis, Ndhiwa, Kendu Bay, and Mbita, bringing the total number of the entities in the county to five, including Homa Bay town, which had been created earlier.
Consequently, 32 members of the municipality boards were sworn into office today in a ceremony held at the county governor’s offices.
The swearing in of the board members was witnessed by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, County Assembly Speaker Julius Gaya, and County Secretary Professor Benard Muok.
The board members are expected to elect their chairpersons and begin delivering services to the people.
Wanga said that the creation of the municipalities was long overdue and aimed at streamlining service delivery to the citizens.
“We urge the board members to move with speed and ensure seamless delivery of services, including cleanup of the towns, proper town planning, and reliable water supply,” the governor said.
Wanga said each municipality is going to be allocated its budget in the next financial year, but in the meantime, the new municipalities will be funded by Homa Bay Municipality.
“Each municipality is going to have its budget in the next financial year. But for the time being, the new municipalities will be funded by Homa Bay municipality,” Wanga said.
She urged the municipality’s board members to work hard to improve services for residents. The governor said her administration has a vision of making Homa Bay town a city in the next ten years.
She expressed optimism that the creation of the municipalities will increase the national government’s allocation to Homa Bay County government.
“Some other counties have been getting more funds than us because they have more municipalities. The creation of the municipalities is going to enhance development in our county,” she said.
Magwanga told the municipality board members to work hard and help the county realize its development agenda.
“We want you to work hard to help the county realize its development agenda. Anybody who sleeps on the job will face disciplinary measures,” Magwanga said.
Speaker Julius Gaya revealed that the County Assembly declined to approve two nominees for the municipality boards because they were not qualified.
“I am optimistic that the board members will perform well because we tested them in the county assembly,” Gaya said.
By Davis Langat
