Homa Bay residents demanded faster state development, pointing to delayed infrastructure and widespread youth unemployment.
The national government commenced the second phase of its nationwide project verification exercise in Homa Bay, Kisii, Vihiga and Bungoma counties, following an earlier round in Wajir, Garissa, Kilifi and Mombasa. Principal Secretary for the State Department for National Government Coordination Ahmed Ibrahim led inspections in Homa Bay and Kisii, while parallel teams evaluated projects in Vihiga and Bungoma.
Amid public accountability pressure, Ibrahim defended the administration’s record during his inspection tour.
“President William Ruto’s administration has undertaken a number of initiatives not only in Homa Bay county but across the Luo Nyanza region and other parts of the country. These are life-changing projects. We mean business and we have to ensure these projects are a success,” Ibrahim said.
Verification teams evaluated several completed and ongoing facilities, including the dual carriageway within Homa Bay Town, Tom Mboya University, the Jitume ICT Hub, and student village and hostel construction at Rangwe Technical and Vocational College. Officials also inspected the Kabunde Airstrip.
“For Kabunde Airstrip, we are grateful that we have flights direct from Wilson Airport to Homa Bay with a frequency of three times a week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, with plans to increase the frequency taking shape,” said Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi.
Another major focal point was the redeveloped 200-metre Homa Bay pier, intended to connect local transport with Kisumu, Mbita, Siaya, Busia, Entebbe, Jinja, and Mwanza.
“Designed to revive Lake Victoria as an economic highway, the pier is a game changer for Homa Bay and this region. Soon we will have vessels docking,” Ibrahim said.
During a public participation forum at Tom Mboya University, local residents urged authorities to expedite stalled initiatives and address high youth unemployment.
“We are asking the government to move with speed. These projects are our only hope. When they delay, our hopes dim. Our young people are educated, they are energetic, but they have no jobs,” said civil society activist Michael Kojo.
Participants also raised concerns regarding uncompensated landowners who gave up ancestral property for the expansion of Kabunde Airstrip.
“Some of our people gave out their land willingly because we believed in development. But to date, they have neither been paid nor given title deeds. How do you tell such people to trust government projects again?,” a participant asked.
Responding to community concerns, Jamshed Ali, Economic Advisor in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, promised inter-departmental coordination.
“The concerns raised here are valid and timely. We have listened. As government, we are going to coordinate with the different departments to ensure that these developments take place as they should and within good time. No region will be left behind,” Ali said.