CS Owalo: Ruto committed to deliver development projects for Nyanza

President William Ruto's administration is committed to fully delivering the development agenda for the Nyanza region, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has assured.

Owalo reiterated that Ruto will fulfil the promised projects targeted at transforming the livelihoods of the residents in the region.

“The president is focusing on tangible transformation and development agenda that will ensure the region realise fast economic development as well as create job opportunities," he said.

Owalo, while speaking during a church service at Church of Survivor in Nyando subcounty, Kisumu county on Sunday, he said Ruto was focused on initiating projects which will empower Nyanza residents.

The Kenya Kwanza government, he said, was serving all Kenyans equally regardless of their political affiliations, adding that Ruto was keen on addressing the development challenges in the area.

He added his ministry was also committed to establishing ICT hubs in the region which will uplift the local economy and create employment for youths.

“As a government, we are engaging everybody to fast-track development projects in aquaculture, tourism, sugarcane farming, rice production and electricity connectivity to turn around the economy of this region,” Owalo said.

The election, he said, was now over and called for a shift in the national discourse for development to be realised across the region and country at large.

For now, Owalo said they are working towards changing the lives of Kenyans. He stated that Kenyans will evaluate Ruto based on the delivered projects at the right time.

Owalo said the president is keen on transforming agricultural production in the region. “He wants to fully revive cotton farming, improve the fishing sector and sugar industry,” he added.

Already, he said, the government has paid farmers arrears and offset Sh 117 billion debt which public sugar mills were grappling with as part of government plans to make them vibrant and profitable.

The government is further focusing its attention on revamping the fishing industry.

Owalo said the government will construct fish landing sites along Lake Victoria.

This comes after the government secured Sh 1.45 billion to build 10 fish landing sites in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Busia counties.

The project will be funded by the International Food and Agriculture Development and will be channelled through the Aquaculture Business Development Programme.

He also cited that Ruto approved the Sh 3 billion Kabonyo fish processing plant in his first cabinet meeting.

The president was also keen to address problems facing Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria.

"Apart from fishing, the government is already mapping tourist destinations in the Western circuit and reviving cottages within the parks," he said.

Owalo said the government has prioritized all stalled roads in Nyanza for rehabilitation and completion.

He said the stalled roads will be completed as a matter of urgency noting that adequate funds are being sourced.

"We also have the multi-billion Lake region ring road project that runs from Busia to Migori. The project is at the design stage. Finance is being pursued by the Ministry of Roads and it will be funded by the World Bank," he said.

The World Bank-funded road project will be a major economic boost to the region, he said.

On Koru-Soin Dam, Owalo said the government was working on measures including public-private partnerships to secure funds to complete the project.

The dam is set to control flooding in Nyando and provide water for irrigation as well as power generation.

Owalo added that President Ruto had demonstrated his willingness to work with the region.

He cited his appointment, with Interior Principal Secretary (CS) Dr. Raymond Omollo and many others as evidence of the government embracing the region.

In the region, he said about 136 people have been appointed in Ruto’s administration including Kenya Defense Force Chief General Francis Ogola.

He was accompanied by Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda, CAS nominee Fred Outa, SASRA chairman Jack Ranguma, Posta chairperson Rose Nyamunga, AFFA Director Samuel Ong’ow, NHC Director Joshua Nyamori, former MPs Ayiecho Olweny and Otieno Karan among others.

Outa echoed Owalo's sentiments and asked residents to desist from cheap politics, but instead engage the government to expedite development in the region.

He said Ruto meant well for the region and should be supported to deliver his development agenda.

Ochanda also urged Nyanza residents to shun divisive politics and support the government.

“Let us be part of the government. We have always been unfair to the government because we give the leadership time to settle down and work for Kenyans,” he said.

He added, “It takes like a year or two for us to realise that there is a government and president. By the time he is settling down to deliver on his agenda, he is left with little time.”

The duo also supported ODM leader Raila Odinga for the AU commission saying he was the right candidate for the job.