Catholic Church up in arms over State lodge expansion in Homa Bay

The Catholic Church has faulted government over the ongoing expansion of Homa Bay State Lodge ahead of President William Ruto’s visit in June.

President Ruto is set to preside over this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium.

The President’s tour has led to an ongoing expansion at Homa Bay State Lodge where he is expected to hold meetings.

The project has seen some residents complain that they have been evicted from their homes without timely notices.

The Church wants the government to be considerate after the sudden evictions. One of the affected residents said he was given a notice of four hours to vacate his home on Thursday last week.

“We ought to have been given adequate time to plan for relocation because for my case, I have children,” he said, adding that he has the land's ownership documents.

The Catholic Priest in charge of St Paul's Homa Bay Parish Romanus Ageng'a told the government to give the project a human face. He said the one-day visit should not destabilize families.

“The President is coming to Homa Bay for one day. But let that visit not be used as a tool for causing discomfort to families,” Ageng’a said.

Fr Ageng’a said the manner in which families were evicted to pay way for the construction was uncalled for.

“One of our faithful was evicted in a very inhuman manner. Let the government have human face in implementing this project,” Rev Ageng’a said.

He also expressed concerns they had heard that government also wanted to take part of the church’s land.

“Let the government ensure adequate public participation to ensure that voice of the people is heard. Public participation enhances harmony in implementation of projects,” Ageng’a said

Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan said he had not received any complaints from neither the church nor the affected civilians.

Lilan said the project is going in a government land.

“We have not received complaints from the people who are complaining. But what I know is that the project is going on in a government land," Lilan said.