President Ruto's goodies to Homa Bay in first trip

President William Ruto at AIC Homabay Church on October 2, 2022. [Michael Mute, Standard]

President William Ruto landed in Homa Bay with a bag of goodies.

The President attended a church service at the Homa Bay African Inland Church.

Ruto promised to complete projects in the region and to revive key sectors that are on their knees.

He pledged to transform the fishing industry, the cotton sub-sector and several infrastructural projects including roads and water.

He committed to work with Nyanza and pledged that no region across the country will be left behind.

The president extended an olive branch to Azimio leader Raila Odinga, saying he will take care of him and former President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure they are respected.

He said he will ensure the two leaders live well as senior citizens of this country.

"Uhuru and Raila are senior citizens who must be respected for serving this country," Ruto said.

He promised to give them job opportunities to enable them live well.

"Leave Raila and Uhuru for me. I will handle them well to ensure I get the opportunity for serving the people at other levels," Ruto said.

Ruto discussed various issues affecting the economy and appealed for more time to review the Competency-Based Curriculum.

He committed to work with elected leaders in Nyanza to deliver his election promises.

"I want to thank you for electing us. I want to assure you that I will work with all leaders who were elected," said Ruto.

"I want the people of Homa Bay and Nyanza as a whole to understand this government is theirs. I am going to serve you and ensure that this region is not left behind when other regions are developing," Ruto said.

Ruto promised to commission a mega housing project for 5,000 low-cost houses in the county.

He said the project will be executed in phases from November, with the first targeting construction of 400 houses while the second phase will see 2,000 houses constructed next year.

"I am coming back to Homa Bay next month to launch the first phase of the low-cost houses construction project where 400 houses will be built. The remaining houses will be built in other phases until the project is finalised," said Ruto.

The president also promised to revive cotton farming which was a major backbone of the region's economy.

Cotton farming used to be a key economic activity in Homa Bay County but it collapsed in the early 1990s leaving families destitute.

He promised to introduce BT cotton seeds that are disease and drought-resistant.

"I am going to approve BT cotton seeds in a Cabinet meeting tomorrow (Monday) so that cotton farmers can begin getting high yields. My government must improve the livelihood of the people of Homa Bay," he said.

He promised to complete the construction of more than 200km of roads that stalled in Homa Bay after being commissioned by Uhuru government.

The projects include Mbita- Kiabuya- Magunga- Sori road which covers Suba North and Suba South constituencies in Homa Bay and Nyatike constituency in Migori County. Kanyadhiang'- Pala- Kandiege- Kadel road in Karachuonyo Constituency, Junction Karabok- Adiedo road in Kasipul and Karachuonyo constituencies and others.

Ruto was accompanied by former MPs Silvance Osele (Kabondo Kasipul), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), Dalmas Otieno (Rongo), Jared Kopiyo (Awendo), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa and former Lake Basin Development Authority chairman Odoyo Owidi.

Others were ICT Cabinet Secretary nominee Eliud Owalo, MPs David Ochieng (Ugenya), Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Marwa Kitayama (Kuria East), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and LBDA Managing Director Raymond Omollo among others.

However, elected leaders from the region, including Governor Gladys Wanga and MP George Peter Kaluma did not attend the church service.