Perceived ODM rebels from Nyanza have seemingly been rewarded by President William Ruto’s government in the creation of new administrative boundaries.
Areas where the MPs come from were given more administrative units.
Some of the ODM MPs include Suba South’s Caroli Omondi, Paul Abuor (Rongo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda.
In a Gazette Notice dated February 14, the government created new subcounties, divisions, locations and sublocations.
The MPs are considered rebels after they vowed to work closely with Ruto's administration to get development.
Suba in Homa Bay, got two subcounties and a number of divisions, locations and sublocations.
The subcounties are Suba Central and Suba West. The divisions are Ruma/Kaksingiri East, Kaksingiri West, Gwassi South and Gwassi North.
Locations are Rang’wa East, Nyamarandi, Sindo (formerly Kaksingiri Central), Kwirathia and Mwegemu.
In Gem constituency, MP Odhiambo got nine locations and six sublocations.
Ochanda’s Bondo got two divisions, two locations and four sublocations.
Abuor’s Rongo was given one division, seven locations and eight sublocations.
Nyamita’s Uriri got two locations and three sublocations.
Ojienda’s Kisumu county got one division, six locations and 11 sublocations.
MP Omondi welcomed the move, saying it will take government services closer to the people.
He said he is still working with other leaders to ensure new subcounties are created in Ndhiwa and Nyatike.
“The two subcounties are still large but we are collaborating with other leaders to lobby for their subdivision. Those are the benefits our people get by working with the government,” the MP said.
Omondi said the new units will augment the process of creating new counties for minority communities in Nyanza.
The communities are the Abasuba in Homa Bay and Kuria in Migori.
The MP said Suba deserves a county in the next boundaries review.
“The original draft for creation of counties showed that Suba ought to have been a county but we were shortchanged. We are going on with various activities so that Suba becomes a county in the next boundaries review,” Omondi said.
The MP said their collaboration with Ruto's government is spurring economic development in the region.
“There is construction of tarmac road in Suba South to ensure easy movement by residents. Milestone of 7.4km of Sindo-Mabuga road is already tarmacked,” he said.
Suba resident Evans Oloo said, “There are more government jobs that come with the creation of the new boundaries. There are four subcounties where more youths will be recruited for government jobs.”
He said the area is vast and residents struggle to get government services from Mbita and Magunga towns.