KISUMU, Kenya, April 18 – The National Government intends to unlock stalled projects in the Nyanza region to spur growth in the agricultural sector.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination Raymond Omollo says the projects are not abandoned and will have to be completed.
The PS was responding to Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o who listed a number of projects in his county, which were launched by the government and work stalled.
Omollo says the government is aware of such projects and will endeavor to have them finished.
Among the projects in Kisumu that have stalled includes, Koru/Soin Dam, Kisumu-Chemelil-Muhoroni road and Kabonyo Kanyagwal fisheries project.
“The Governor has spoken about the various dams which we have been talking about since independence, our intervention is to unlock such mega projects,” said Omollo.
He says the major roads, which have stalled, are key in delivering agricultural produce to the markets.
The PS spoke in Kisumu on Thursday during a capacity strengthening for the governments’ agenda on food and nutrition security organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The meeting brought together 47 county commissioners and other senior government officers.Nyong’o on his part says the government should move with speed to jumpstart the projects, which are key in service delivery to the people.
“On 6th of October 2023, President William Ruto, paid a visit to Kisumu to launch the construction of Sh. 1.5 billion aquaculture project, work is yet to start,” he said.
The Governor says the projects are very ambitious and should be prioritized for the benefit of the people.
He says the Kisumu-Chemelil-Muhoroni road was started during the regime of former President Uhuru Kenyatta but has stalled midway.
The road is critical for transport in his region since it connects almost three to four counties.“This road will boost trade and offer quick means of travelling in the region,” he said.
Nyong’o says the Koru/Soin dam has been a talk since independence and got started off two years ago before stalling.
He says the dam has the solution to the flooding menace that has annually affected thousands of families living downstream.
“Right now, many families in Nyando are not living in their homes because of floods, we need this dam to help us sort out this menace,” he said.
The PS says the team meeting in Kisumu will be visiting government projects in Homa Bay and Migori to check on their status, while underscoring the project’s importance towards poverty alleviation and creation of job opportunities to the locals.
