President William Ruto on Thursday started a three-day development tour of Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties that saw the launch of various development projects in the region.
In Kisii County, the President presided over the launch of a water supply and treatment plant and the opening of a computer laboratory. In Nyamira, he presided over the commissioning of road projects and the launch of an affordable housing programme.
The President appealed to leaders across the political divide to work together to deliver services to the people and told the opposition to stop chaos and destruction of property.
“I have a duty to protect the rights of all Kenyans against all threats. I have an obligation to business owners in various parts of the country whose premises were looted and destroyed by protesters mobilized by reckless and irresponsible politicians.”
President Ruto said the government is committed to expanding the water supply and sanitation system in Kisii and counties to meet the needs of the people. He commissioned the Kisii Town Water Supply Project, Kegati Water Treatment Plant in Kisii County that will increase the capacity of the plant from 6,500 to 27,000 cubic meters per day.
Dr Ruto said the government has secured Ksh 500 million to connect Kisii County homes to clean water that meets the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Later, he commissioned the upgrading to bitumen standard of Gekano-Rigoma-Amabuko; Ngenyi-Manga-Motemumwamu; Gekano-Girango and Gekano-Muturmesi-Birongo roads.
He also officially opened Kisii National Polytechnic Digital Empowerment Centre, that will equip the youth with digital skills needed in the online job market. The President said the national and Nyamira County will construct 10,000 affordable houses that will create jobs for the youth in Sironga.
The President was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Eliud Owalo (ICT), Ezekiel Machogu (Education) and Zachariah Njeru (Lands). Others were Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), MPs and MCAs among other leaders.
On Friday, President Ruto launched the construction of the seven kilometere Gamba-Kegogi road, Kisii County that will connect Kisii to Ahero at Oyugis and ease movement of people and goods and services to the market. Also launched was the Sirari corridor accessibility and road safety improvement project and the construction of lot two of Kisii Ahero A1 road.
The Head of State said the government will get rid of slow contractors and fast track construction of roads in the region. “I have had talks with your leaders and we have agreed that we will work together to complete all stalled projects so that we can change the face of Kisii and counties.
The President said the government is investing heavily in the digital economy, agro processing and value addition and housing to create jobs. he said the national government and the Kisii county government will work together to create an Industrial Park to promote agribusiness in the county. “The park will help us in value addition, aggregation and secure markers for farmers,” he said.
Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Road Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, his Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu, Governors Simba Arati (Kisii) and Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), MPs, MCAs among other leaders.
