By Habil Onyango
Homa Bay County has recently received attention for various development projects that have been initiated in the area. Some critics allege that these projects have been primarily driven by the National Government, leaving the County Government with little to show for their efforts.
Governor Gladys Wanga has defended her administration’s development record, asserting that her team has accomplished more in the past three and a half years than the previous regime did in ten years. However, she acknowledged that her administration has not fully met residents’ expectations, although she believes they are on the right track to fulfill the promises made to the community.
“It is true that we have not completed all the projects we promised; some roads are still unfinished, and some health facilities still need to be constructed, while water projects require expansion. But we are on the right path,” she stated. “When you consider what we have achieved in the past three and a half years, it is significantly more than what the previous administration accomplished in ten years.”
Governor Wanga highlighted the increase in Early Childhood Education classrooms, noting that they found only 23 in the entire 40 wards upon taking office, but have since expanded that number to 604.
Regarding National Government projects, the Governor explained that securing support requires strong connections and proactive leadership. “Some people claim that I only boast about National Government projects initiated in the County, which is not true. It takes a concerted effort between both levels of government for such initiatives to be successful,” she said. “With 47 counties across the country, if projects do not come to our County, they will go to other counties instead.”
Wanga emphasized that her experience as a former County Woman Representative helped her forge connections that have led to these projects. She criticized her detractors, stating that the National Government has existed for nearly 62 years without any individual successfully influencing the allocation of projects to county levels, a situation that is only now being realized under her leadership.
The Governor spoke at Ngolo Primary School in Karachuonyo Constituency during a resource mobilization exercise, accompanied by her deputy Danis Onyango, CECM for Finance Solomon Obiero, and County Assembly Clerk Hannington Dey Abeka.
Obiero urged Homa Bay residents to support the Governor so she can complete the projects promised during her campaign. He praised her administration, stating, “When we took office, Homa Bay was struggling with development. Now, we can proudly say that we are among the top-performing counties in Kenya.”
He condemned individuals opposing Wanga’s leadership, asserting that they lack any meaningful agenda. Wanga is set to face her former deputy, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, who resigned and declared his candidacy for the governorship. Magwanga, a former Kasipul MP for two terms, has criticized Wanga’s administration, alleging misappropriation of public funds and a lack of tangible development.
Obiero countered Magwanga’s claims, pointing out that he has been in leadership since 2007 with little to show for the community and should not be trusted with county leadership. Abeka, who aspires to become the next Rachuonyo MP, assured the Governor of the Rachuonyo community’s support for her re-election.
“I am grateful to the Governor for the opportunity to serve as the Clerk of the County Assembly. All the work I am currently doing for the people of Karachuonyo supports her initiatives,” he said. Abeka revealed that he is already supporting nearly 100 students from various parts of the constituency through bursary allocations to aid their education. “All these projects are being executed on behalf of the Governor to ensure that our people benefit,” he added.
