- The President broke ground for the Sh 800 million Lake Victoria Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
- He also commissioned the Lake Basin Development Authority Rice Mill Project in Kibos, with a processing capacity of 4,000 tonnes an hour
President William Ruto has concluded his four-day tour to Nyanza, where he launched multi-billion projects to enhance food security, blue economy and health.
The President went big since he began the tour on Wednesday, inspecting development programmes in Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu counties.
Bringing the tour to a close in Kisumu over the weekend, Ruto said no part of Kenya will be left out in national development for political or ethnic reasons.
The two vices had held the country back for long, he added.
"I want to assure you that we will work together, shoulder to shoulder, to transform Kisumu and every part of Kenya," Ruto, who was accompanied by a host of leaders, said.
The President broke ground for the Sh 800 million Lake Victoria Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.
The project of the Kenya Maritime Authority, is being undertaken by the Kenya Shipyards Limited, to enhance marine safety in the lake.
The facility in Kisumu will be equipped with rescue assets, including boats, ambulances and evacuation helicopters.
Others include an operational centre, a security control centre, a communications room, a regional coordination office and a rescue centre with emergency medical services.
This is part of a Sh3.5 billion infrastructure upgrade at marine sites in Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.
The project aims to make Lake Victoria safer for all users, ensuring that young people engaged in fishing can work without fear of accidents.
"We have started a significant project that will help our fishermen avoid accidents while on the lake. Should an accident occur, they will be able to receive assistance through the rescue centre today," he said.
The President highlighted alarming statistics that show 5,000 people lose their lives at the lake each year.
His government is committed to reducing these deaths, so that those depending on the lake can go about their work safely, thus contributing to the country's food security.
"We are committed to building these rescue centres to make Lake Victoria a safe place for those who rely on it," Ruto added.
The President also commissioned the Lake Basin Development Authority Rice Mill Project in Kibos, with a processing capacity of 4,000 tonnes an hour.
This will promote rice cultivation in the more than 6,000 acres in Chiga, East Kano and West Kano schemes, supporting more than 10,000 households.
Ruto stressed the government's commitment to empowering rice farmers by intensifying value addition.
"We will support our rice farmers so they can produce more, earn more, and feed more Kenyans," he stated in the state-of-the-art rice mill."
He then laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 2,384-unit Lumumba Estate Affordable Housing Project in Kisumu Central.
This is part of the 10,000 units set to be built in Kisumu county under the housing programme, which mainly targets Kenyans at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
He urged youth to take advantage of the many opportunities brought by the housing project to earn better livelihoods.
"I have instructed the contractor that construction work at this project will be undertaken by the youth of Kisumu."
The President wound up his visit by commissioning the Nyabondo Trauma Centre in Nyakach constituency.
The facility, with a 150-bed capacity, is equipped with specialised medical equipment.
This includes theatres, an Intensive Care Unit and a High Dependency Unit, specifically designed for treating accident victims.
The facility is expected to serve more than 5 million people from the region.
The head of state thanked the European Union for their support in equipping the hospital.
The Sh500 million grant provided by the EU is crucial in realising the state-of-the-art trauma centre, he said.
“This facility will play a critical role in providing urgent medical care to those in need, particularly accident victims,” the President said during the commissioning ceremony.
The facility was constructed by the Kenya National Highways Authority as part of the rehabilitation of the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero road.
It is set to revolutionise healthcare, while shortening the distance patients in need of specialised treatment travel to get services.
The state-of-the-art equipment is set to boost capacity for Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira counties in the management of specialised cases.
Additionally, the government will build 12 fresh produce markets in Kisumu and spend Sh800 million to connect 12,000 households to power.
While responding to calls from area leaders, the President also announced the return of a renamed Kazi mtaani programme.
The 'Climate works Mashinani' will see the youth involved in environmental conservation related activities.
The programme is in the planning stages and will start in a month's time, Ruto said.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, governors Anyang' Nyongo of Kisumu, Simba Arati (Kisii), Homa Bay's Gladys Wanga, Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, MCAs among other leaders.