- The department has plans to improve access roads to beaches, schools and major town markets in the county
- The five year-plan document is called Homa Bay County Roads, Public Works, and Infrastructure Strategic Plan 2023-2027
Homa Bay government has urged residents to attend public participation forums and give their views on the county's road strategic plan.
Roads and Infrastructure executive Danish Onyango and chief officer Bernard Nyobange said participation will help residents own the plan.
The department had started yo collect views from residents to know areas it will prioritise as it implements development projects.
Onyango said public participation will also help residents to know how their resources are used and avoid embezzlement of funds.
“Through public participation, we will be able to capture the views of residents and know their areas of priorities. We’re making the document to be a people driven one by incorporating views of the residents,” he said.
Onyango spoke during the first public forum in Homa Bay town yesterday.
He said public participation is a constitutional right.
The department has plans to improve access roads to beaches, schools and major town markets in the county.
It is also working on how to plant trees to mitigate El Nino and improve drainage systems.
The five year-plan document is called Homa Bay County Roads, Public Works, and Infrastructure Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority Nyanza regional officer Daniel Rotich and Homa Bay Nema director Josiah Nyandoro attended the forum.
Onyango said they will implement the document collaboratively and avoid duplication of work.
“This policy document will achieve its objectives if it undergoes public participation as required by the Constitution,” he added.
Nyobange asked residents to take advantage of the opportunity and make contributions.
“I urge residents to take advantage of the opportunity. We’ll ensure their views are enlisted in the document before it is implemented,” Nyobande said.
Residents Oloo Gor, Benter Nyangi and Walter Opiyo urged the executive to implement the project as per the residents' needs.
Gor asked the department to show in the document, how it will address the issue of pending bills that has interfered with implementation of development projects.
Many contractors have raised complaints with the department that they don't get paid after work.
Some demand payment of works done in 2018.
“The document will realise its objectives if the executive addresses the pending bills and give each department funds to run its affairs,” he said.
Nyangi called for the improvement of roads that lead to markets, schools and health facilities.