Homa Bay seat hopefuls face off live on TV

With over 320,000 voters expected to elect a new senator in Homa Bay County on Thursday, the candidates had a unique campaign platform  on Friday courtesy of the Standard Group’s KTN.

Just like the 2013 general election presidential debate, the candidates faced the voters in front of TV cameras and articulated their political agenda. The debate, held at Homa Bay High School, attracted a huge audience with millions following it live on television across the country.

Seven candidates including Moses Kajwang’ (ODM), Philip Okundi (Maendeleo Democratic Party), Fred Rabongo (National Agenda Party), Benard Otieno (National Vision Party) and independent candidates Hillary Alila, Prof Luke Misama and Edwin Matete participated in the debate.

Innocent Masara, an independent candidate, was absent.

The discussion was focused on the county’s development agenda. Health, education, water and youth empowerment came out as the major concerns that need urgent redress.

With the county enjoying 80 per cent of Kenya’s share of Lake Victoria waters, it emerged that more needs to be done so as to enable fishermen reap more from their activities. Provision of storage facilities and a reliable market, lack of political and leadership goodwill emerged as the issues that stunt growth and development of Homa Bay.

The candidates agreed that lack of clean water for domestic use is a major problem for the residents.

Homa Bay, they said, also lags behind in education as its the only county in Nyanza that has no university. The candidates said the county leads in teenage pregnancies, according to surveys done by the area county director of education.

“We need to negotiate with institutions of higher education to establish campuses in the county,” said Hillary Alila.

All the seven aspirants were also in agreement that the county needs a referral hospital. Little funding from the National Government as well as delayed disbursement of devolved funds to the counties emerged as the major issues ailing the health sector.

However, Kajwang said his party is keen on pushing for more revenue allocation to the counties to fund projects such as health. He said he will support CORD’s referendum push for more money to be allocated to the counties.

 “Parties have manifestos and ideologies on devolution and everyone knows that my party has been pushing for the idea to have more money in the counties. I have been a member of ODM since it was formed and I stand for that idea,” he said.

Okundi said accountability is necessary if the county is to achieve its development goals.

“Structures must be put in place to ensure all the money channeled to the counties are used for what they are meant for. The senator will be very vital in ensuring this,” he added.

Misama said the Suba community had been neglected in most development projects in the county.

He said poor infrastructure and inequality in job opportunities should be top of the agenda of whoever clinches the seat in Thursday’s by-election. “Let us not bank on party manifestos. We must look for someone who will ensure equality for all,” he said.

Alila and Rabongo said governance structures seem to have failed in Homa bay.

 “We need to have laws and structures which compel individuals to deliver and be accountable for the public resources in their custody,” said Alila.

“Everything seems not to be working in this county. There must be structures which ensure proper funding as well as checks and balances. The next senator must be someone who can push for these,” said Rabongo.