The County Government of Homa Bay has promised to scale up supply of clean water, faster delivery of health services, an improved infrastructure and improved electricity supply.
Governor Cyprian Awiti said Water, Health and good road network were his major priorities as he marked 20 months in office.
Speaking at this year’s Jamhuri day at the Homa Bay Stadium, Mr Awiti said work was already going on various water projects within the county.
He said the construction of the 12km road network within all the 40 wards were going on, adding that the national government had finally agreed to tarmac the Kendu Bay –Oyugis and Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori road from next year.
“We are only 20 months old in the office but we are trying our best. Our work has been slowed down by dismal allocation of funds from the national government. Sh 2.2 billion of the Sh 4.9 we get goes to wages of staff we inherited from the defunct Local authorities,” said Mr Awiti.
He added: “The remainder is what we have to share with the County Assembly and recurrent expenditure, living very little for development,” he said.
The governor also announced that the County will soon have a fully-fledged University to be named Tom Mboya Memorial University.
“We are currently discussing the issue of the 80 acre land where the university will be built. Two distinguished scholars from this County are helping in this matter,” said Mr Awiti.
The governor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Hamilton Orata, County Commissioner Naftali Mungathia and County Assembly Speaker Samuel Ochilo asked for patience as he pushes members of his executive committee to speed up the implementation of projects.
“I am promising the people of Homa bay today that we will deliver on all promises we made. I know our people want us to eradicate this poverty. Our people have been suffering for the past 51 years but no one can improve the situation in just 20 months. We need a little more time. We have made the road map. We have laid the infrastructure. I promise that we will do it.”
On politics, Mr Awiti said his government will not take sides in the on-going by-election campaigns to replace the fallen Homa Bay Senator- Otieno Kajwang’. “We will work with whoever will win the by-election. I am appealing to those campaigning to maintain peace.
