NewsWhat to expect ahead of Uhuru’s 5 days visit...

What to expect ahead of Uhuru’s 5 days visit to Nyanza

-

By Evans Kidero via FB

President Kenyatta will be in Nyanza for five days hosted by the people of this region under the leadership of the Prime Minister Jakom Raila Odinga

My hope is that as local leaders, we shall seize this opportunity and present a robust economic agenda that will holistically address the myriad challenges that our people are facing .

The following issues should be addressed in order to catapult the recovery of the Lake Region economy;

No conversation of economic nature can begin without our biggest resource – Lake Victoria. With the nerve of the lake’s inland water transport, Kisumu Port already revitalized, we need to push for the water connectivity of Kisumu to Kendu Bay, Kajimo, Homa Bay, Mbita, Mfangano, Sindo, Nyandiwa, Sori and others. The 6 jetties in Homa Bay should be rehabilitated and the 141 landing beaches developed.

Homa Bay alone contributes to over 50% of fish from Lake Victoria with about 100,000 MT of fish per year. This is a clear indication that fishing is the backbone of the county’s economy. Accordingly, we need value addition projects and fish processing industries in the region to increase productivity. For instance, Mbita Causeway should be deepened from the current 2m to 12 metres depth to improve the ecosystem of the Kavirondo Gulf side of Lake Victoria in order to increase fish availability.

KEMFRI has evaluated Lake Victoria’s fisheries potential at Ksh 40 billion per year against an actual collection of Ksh 12 billion. Out of this , fish from Homa Bay County alone earns our country about 7 billion shillings a year.

The construction of the Lake Victoria Ring road all the way from Bumala in Busia, through Siaya, Kisumu, to Kendu Bay, Homa Hills, Homa Bay, Mbita, and making a flexuous stretch to Sindo, Sori and Muhuru Bay should also be prioritized. This investment will supplement the waterways and propel the Inland triangular trade with Uganda and Tanzania.

Another urgent issue for the region is energy. Constant blackouts and unstable electric power have for a long time scared investors from the lake region. Electricity should be stabilized through construction of more sub-stations and fully exploiting our solar and geothermal potentials.

The government should as well complete the Sh 6 billion Kimira-Oluch Small Farm Improvement Project (KOSFIP), an irrigation project for Karachuonyo and Rangwe Sub Counties as one of the efforts to increase food security and reduce our over-reliance on food imports.

With stable electricity and diversified energy sources, improved water transport and the connectivity provided by the ring road, accelerated industrialization, the Lake Region would witness an economic bloom that would kickstart our renaissance Homa Bay agenda.

As Nyanza leaders, we are solidly behind the BBI for it’s political and economic equity which will greatly benefit our region and enhance a peaceful,stable and prosperous Kenya.

Let us give our president a warm welcome as we jointly have sober engagements on reviving the Lake Region.

[Photo: Mbita Town]

#HomaBayManyien

What to expect ahead of Uhuru’s 5 days visit to Nyanza

Source: KENYAGIST.COM

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest news

Another Kenyan Athlete Banned

Another Kenyan marathon runner, Rodgers Ondaji Gesabwa, has been slapped with a three-month ban after testing positive for a...

Govt Closes College Indefinitely After Student Died in Protests

The Ministry of Education has ordered the indefinite closure of Bungoma National Polytechnic after violent demonstrations erupted, making it...

Student Reportedly Killed as Police Clash With Protesting Learners

A Bungoma National Polytechnic student was on Tuesday reportedly killed following a fierce clash between armed police officers and...

How Gachagua Plans to Beat Impeachment Ahead of a Make-or-Break Day

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is standing his ground amidst a storm of allegations that threaten to engulf his political...

Uproar After DPP Withdraws Multimillion Case After Request From Suspect

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is under intense scrutiny after allegedly withdrawing a high-profile graft case involving...

Protest Breaks Out in Eldoret

Protests led by victims of the First Choice airlift program scheme broke out in Eldoret on Thursday as demonstrators...

Must read

Another Kenyan Athlete Banned

Another Kenyan marathon runner, Rodgers Ondaji Gesabwa, has been...

Govt Closes College Indefinitely After Student Died in Protests

The Ministry of Education has ordered the indefinite closure...
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you