Youths in Homa Bay have been challenged to embrace the projects President William Ruto will commission during his development tour of Luo Nyanza.
President Ruto is expected in Homa Bay and other counties in Luo Nyanza to launch a number of development projects.
The projects are expected to mark the beginning of a major economic transformation in the four counties around the lake region, especially the fishing sector.
Ruto will commission the rehabilitation of the Homa Bay town pier alongside that of Kendu Bay and Mbita piers as part of his plan to revive lake transport.
The head of state will also launch the tarmacking of a 74km road of Sindo-Mbita-Magunga-Sori to connect fishing villages in Migori and Homa Bay counties.
The piers will ensure youths who are undertaking fishing activities embark on realizing the economic value of the lake.
Four Luo Nyanza counties such as Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya used to depend on lake transport in the 1990s and it led to the growth of towns like Kendu Bay.
Collapses in lake transport led to the shutdown of many business opportunities along the lake.
It is against this backdrop that some youths associated with the UDA party led by Homa Bay county acting coordinator Kennedy Ongati and Suba North acting coordinator Bruce Ogweno asked youths to embrace the projects.
They said the launch of the projects in Homa Bay will benefit fishermen who are mainly youths and make a significant economic transformation.
“President William Ruto has demonstrated that he is ready to develop all parts of the country and work with everyone. Let us support him and the projects his administration is opening in Homa Bay because they are to benefit youths,” Ongati said.
The region has historically been supporting the opposition. In previous administrations, the county was sidelined and never got much development.
President Ruto’s administration however has a different plan for Homa Bay. Already, work is ongoing to build affordable houses besides other state-funded projects.
On Monday, Ongati said they expect more development projects in the Homa Bay county.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo had already inspected sites where the president is likely to visit.
Rehabilitation of Homa Bay, Kendu Bay and Mbita piers will be undertaken by the Kenya Ports Authority.
Ongati said restoration of lake transport will support job creation.
“As ships dock, youths who are also small-scale traders will get an opportunity to sell their goods,” he added.
The UDA official added that fish traders will reap big profits from the project.
Besides fishing and lake transport, residents of Suba will also benefit from the presidential visit.
Suba, comprising Suba Noth, Suba South and parts of the Nyatike constituency has never been connected by tarmac roads.
This affects other development projects as goods cannot be transported with ease.
“The visit by President Ruto and especially the launching of the projects will mark an end to the suffering that residents have been going through since independence,” Ogweno said.
President Ruto is expected to go to Mfangano Island which equally has a poor road network.
“Let youths in Homa Bay take advantage of the goodwill and project the projects for their own economic benefits. Youths should focus more on development,” Ogweno said.
Elected leaders from Homa Bay were urged to accompany the president during his visits. Ogweno said the trip should not be politicized.
“Let us forget the political sideshow and accord the president support,” he said.
President Ruto will use the opportunity to open a UDA office in Homa Bay town. Youths will be employed to work at the UDA offices.