Rarieda residents open up Misori – Kitimbo road

Residents of Mahanya and Urimi villages in Nyabera sub-location West Uyoma ward Rarieda Subcounty decided to open up the Misori – Kitimbo road, a crucial link said to have been anticipated by the residents.

According to the residents, fishing activities and horticultural farming within the two villages and beyond have suffered because of a lack of access to the markets for years.

One of the villagers who has played a key role in the opening up of the road, Joseph Okweso said the area lacks basic infrastructure.

 “Some of the basic things that define development like road networks which improve our lives will always involve transportation,” Okweso said.

Through his initiative bulldozers, graders and shovels have been on the ground opening up the two-and-a-half-kilometre road that connects the two villages to the Misori – Kawaka – Bondo road.

Okweso, like the rest of the community, sees their efforts as a big challenge to both the county and national governments.

They reiterated that the two entities have to up their game and act on the priority needs of the community.

Bishop George Otieno Orida who shares Okweso's sentiments said the villagers dread the prospect of the death of a community member outside as this means that they have to carry the caskets shoulder high.

 “It is always dreadful for the expectant mothers too who have to be pushed on a wheelbarrow to Misori and other health facilities,” Orida said.

He said the community lacks any development project from the government.

 A victim of the poor track leading to the village, Jeremiah Arrum Ombet expressed his view on the sorry road state.

 “When I recently lost my wife, we were forced to carry the casket in our heads and the people carrying the casket arrived home ahead of me which is not right, I could not do much because of my age,” he said.

 Ombet said they have always lived in the thickets for the period he has been alive.

“Since 1957 when I started to know my surroundings, we have always lived in the thickets here,” he said.

He described the opening of the road as a miracle.

Hellen Achieng,  a resident of Mahanya village said promises of opening up the Misori – Kitimbo road are always on the politicians’ lips whenever elections are at the corner.

“We have suffered a lot because of this road. They always ask for our votes promising to open it up only to disappear,” she said.

Pastor Camlus Opondo, a pastor with the local Pentecostal Assemblies Church looks at the issue differently.

To him, the name of the village, Mahanya, could be to blame.

“Mahanya” (Githeri without beans in dholuo) could be driving away the leaders because most people despise it as a meal.

Opondo said carrying the sick on their backs for kilometres to the tarmac road in Misori was the norm in the area.

 “We have carried Okweso’s mother to Misori once when she was sick and needed to be taken to hospital,” Opondo said.

The villagers united in their call to the Siaya county government and the national government saying they deserve development, just like other taxpayers.

They called on Siaya Governor, James Orengo to ensure money meant to open up the road is used to construct an early childhood development centre in the area.