State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Thursday, January 12, outlined President William Ruto’s agenda in his planned two-day visit to the Nyanza region.
In a statement read to the press at State House Kisumu, Hussein stated that the President will oversee the launching and groundbreaking for several projects touted to transform Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties.
On Friday, January 13, the President is expected to preside over the launching of the first phase of the 5,000 affordable housing programme in Homa Bay County.
According to the Spokesperson, the project will cover the towns of Oyugis, Kendu Bay and Mbita in the county.
The housing projects, Hussein noted, will not only suffice the deficit of housing units required in the region but also create employment opportunities for locals.
He mentioned that Homa Bay had made tremendous progress in actualizing Kenya's housing plan, underscoring that it was the first to enter a memorandum of understanding with the national government.
"This will boost the local economy and put money in the pockets of hustlers in Homa Bay. Jua Kali enterprises will expand and create jobs and wealth for the three million people in the sub-sector," read a statement from State House.
Further, Ruto is expected to launch several other projects including Homa Bay Municipal Market which is designed to provide space for trade in agricultural products.
Also on the President's itinerary is the commissioning of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Blue Economy Research Hub scheduled to take place in Siaya County.
The two-day visit will be Ruto's second since his inauguration as Kenya's fifth President in September. In October 2022, Ruto toured Homa Bay county and promised to undertake the construction of low-cost houses in the region.
However, his visit sparked divergent interpretations, with a section of leaders from the opposition accusing him of attempting to make in-roads in Raila Odinga's home turf.
The speculations were fuelled by a couple of relief food distribution exercises led by Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo.
Notably, the President is also expected to grace a homecoming ceremony of Owalo in Siaya County.
