Western governor's vow to support Ruto's projects

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa speaking in Mumias East. [Bernard Lusigi. Standard]

Western Kenya governors have vowed to support President William Ruto's development projects in the region.

Led by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa who was speaking in Mumias East, Governor Barasa said the collaboration between the county and national government is bearing fruit.

"As governors from the Western region we have in one voice decided that we are going to support the President's programs," said Barasa.

Barasa said that the national government has already given the county government Sh800milion for the construction and completion of Bukhungu International Stadium.

"We are planning to host the African Cup of Nations in 2027 at Bukhungu stadium and we must collaborate with the government I am happy and thankful to our President for having instructed the Cabinet Secretary for Sports to ensure Bukhungu stadium is completed on time," said Barasa.

"Already we have received Sh800 Million from the national government to complete Bukhungu which needs Sh2 Billion for the whole process so that we can host the African tournament and that is what we are collaborating to achieve."

Barasa added that through collaboration the national government has given the county government 300 acres of land at Shikusa Prison farm for construction of Kakamega International Airport.

Furthermore, the governor said his administration needs Sh6 billion to complete the stalled Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Level Six hospital.

"We want Kakamega to have an international airport and already the President has given us 300 acres besides we are collaborating to finish our level six hospital," said Barasa.

On Sunday during the Interdenominational prayers in Lurambi, Kakamega county governor Barasa, his Vihiga counterparts Wilbur Ottichilo and Bungoma governor Ken Lusaka vowed to support the President and his agenda.

Ottichilo, an ODM governor serving his last and second term as governor, pledged his support to President Ruto's projects.

"You (President) have agreed to subdivide Hamisi constituency into two constituencies besides that the head of state is going to establish a school of government in Vihiga which will serve counties in the Lake Region Economic block," said Ottichilo.

"As governors from Western, we have decided we are going to work and work with the President because the wind of change is coming and you are free to come to Vihiga as many times as you wish," he added.

Ottichilo said the projects the President has launched in Vihiga are projects that are going to make transformational change in the county dismissing leaders purporting that the head of state is launching ghost projects.

On his part, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka maintained that they will support President Ruto's programmes stating that the head of state has demonstrated a good working relationship with the devolved units.

"As my colleagues have said we are going to support you the President, in Bungoma I have seen the construction of the industrial park in Kanduyi and the affordable housing project which is going to change the phase of Kanduyi into a smart city and hence the economy of the county," said Lusaka.

Lusaka said that it was worth supporting the President after he paid Nzoia Sugar Company, and farmers, Sh1.7 billion as their arrears and wrote off debt that was bedeviling the factory in a bid to revive the economy of the county and region.

Busia County Governor Paul Otuoma has maintained to work with the national government in what he has earlier termed as the only way of having substantial and mega meaningful projects and eradicating poverty in Busia.

His dalliance with the Presidents has put him on the wrong side, especially from ODM supporters in the county.

Last month during a membership and registration drive by his party leader Raila Odinga, Otuoma was heckled by angry ODM supporters who stopped him from addressing the crowd questioning his loyalty to the party that propelled him to the governor seat.