Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga on Sunday, August 16, defended her administration’s development record after the county came under criticism over the poor condition of some roads.
Speaking during a funds drive at Wikondiek SDA Church in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County, Wanga attributed the state of roads in parts of the county to years of marginalisation under previous regimes.
She argued that Homa Bay had suffered because its residents played a significant role in the struggle for national reforms, including the push for a new Constitution, devolution and human rights.
“They are laughing at us saying Homa Bay looks like Yemen, because of bad roads. They don't understand our pain because all these years we've been voting but no development has come to this region because we decided to fight for the country, to bring new constitution, devolution and human rights,” Wanga stated.
The governor said critics failed to appreciate the frustrations of residents who had continued to vote for successive governments despite limited development in some parts of the county.
The remarks came after several roads in Homa Bay were disrupted on August 16 when rival youth groups barricaded major routes using stones, burning tyres and bonfires.
The disruptions affected the Homa Bay-Rongo Road, Nyandiwa, Sindo, Oyugis near Kendu Junction and the Homa Bay Town CBD, interfering with transport and movement across the county.
The disruption also affected the Linda Mwananchi convoy, forcing it to use alternative routes after some major highways became impassable.
The chaotic scenes triggered online criticism, with some Kenyans comparing Homa Bay’s road network to infrastructure in war-torn countries.
Responding to the criticism, Wanga said the situation was changing following Homa Bay’s inclusion in the broad-based government arrangement between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.
She explained that the road that had attracted criticism was part of the Lake Victoria Ring Road project and was already scheduled for tarmacking.
“But because we're in broad based govt, that road they are talking about is under the lake Victoria Ring road and will be tarmac,” Governor Wanga stated.
Wanga has previously highlighted several road projects undertaken by her administration. In one of her State of the County Addresses earlier this year, she said the county had opened 736 kilometres of new roads, undertaken periodic maintenance on 538 kilometres of existing roads and rehabilitated 116 kilometres of targeted access roads connecting schools, health facilities, markets and beaches.
Millie Odhiambo Reacts
Suba North Member of Parliament (MP) Millie Odhiambo also challenged the description of some roads used as alternative routes during the Linda Mwananchi rally as mere feeder roads.
Odhiambo argued that several of the roads are important routes within Homa Bay County and said poor infrastructure in Suba North and Suba South was the result of years of neglect.
She called for faster implementation of development projects in the region. "What you see, [other than Homabay to Mbita and Rusinga Ring Road are the main roads]. President Kibaki and PM Raila tarmacked Homabay town to Mbita town. President Uhuru built the Mbita bridge," the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, the administration of President Ruto has pledged to increase development spending across Nyanza. The government has committed more than Ksh220 billion to Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya and Kisumu counties, in addition to Ksh9.5 billion allocated to blue economy projects around Lake Victoria.
