Residents of the Nyanza region have been asked to give President Dr. William Ruto a rousing welcome as he embarks on a four-day development tour of the area on Friday.
Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo said the Head of State was coming with a bunch of goodies in what he termed as a historic moment for the region, which has been lagging behind in development for many years.
The president, he said, will tour the four Luo Nyanza counties—Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya—where he is set to commission development projects.
On Friday, he said the president is set to commission the Sh. 3 billion Kabonyo Kanyagwal fish project in Kisumu.
The project, which encompasses a fish training school, research and innovation centre, fingerling production centre, Nile perch multiplication centre, and aquaculture resource center, targets to revive blue economy activities in Lake Victoria.
“This facility will help build capacity for our fishermen with modern fishing technologies and, at the same time, produce fingerlings to restock Lake Victoria,” he said.
The president, he said, will also commission Koru-College Road, Lake Basin Mall, MV Uhuru II, and Kisumu Last Mile water projects.
In Homa Bay, he said President Ruto is set to commission the Mfangano Ring Road, Sindo-Magunga Road, Homa Bay Pier, and Oyugis Water Project.
The CS added that the president will also commission a last-mile water project in Kuria East in Migori County, where he is also expected to launch the affordable housing project in Kuria West and a laboratory at Rongo University before meeting sugarcane farmers at Awendo.
On Sunday, Mr. Ruto said he will attend a Thanksgiving ceremony for Gem Member of Parliament (MP) Elisha Odhiambo in Siaya County.
He will also commission a level four hospital in Ugenya, Bondo-Liunda Road, and a Digital Laboratory at Mahaya Technical and Vocational College.
His tour of the region, he added, ends on Monday with a cabinet meeting at the Kisumu State Lodge.
Owalo asked area residents to turn out in large numbers to welcome the president, saying since independence the region has not witnessed the kind of development being rolled out in the area.
“This region has lagged behind in development for many years, but for the first time we have a president who is ready to transform this area, and we must give him full support,” he said.
He further urged governors and other leaders in the area to put their political differences aside and embrace the leadership of President William Ruto to turn around the region’s fortunes.
“Elections are over. As a national government, we are ready and willing to partner with the county governments to unlock the potential of this region,” he said.
“The president is coming here as the head of state and government. He is a father figure to everybody, regardless of how they voted in last year’s general elections,” he added.
By Chris Mahandara
