By Anderson Ojwang
In the hospitality industry, a common phrase ‘home away from’ refers to a place other than one’s actual residence, where one feels comfortable, relaxed, and at ease, similar to how they feel in their home.
Kisumu city before, the political handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta with Orange Democratic Movement leader, Raila Odinga, was a no-go zone to the president.
Kisumu was riotous on slightest provocation to Uhuru’s administration, and the president gave it a wide berth. But after the 2018 handshake, Kisumu became Uhuru’s second home after Ichaweri.
Similarly, despite previous overtures from President William Ruto to Homa Bay after his election, the reception was lukewarm, but after the formation of a broad-based government, Homa Bay has received the president with an open hand.
Uhuru was so relaxed in Kisumu that he visited the lake city privately and on official functions on several occasions.
Apart from the development gravy train to Kisumu, President Uhuru presided over the 58th Madaraka celebrations in Kisumu.
President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned several big-dollar projects in Kisumu during his tenure in office.
The projects, which were valued at over Sh25 billion, included the renewed Nakuru-Kisumu Metre Gauge Railway, refurbished Kisumu Port, Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Uhuru Business Park, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex, 400kV Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu transmission line, and the Kibos Inland Container Depot.
Uhuru also commissioned Kisumu’s first marine school at the Railway Training Institute, among other major projects.
Nakuru-Kisumu Metre Gauge Railway
Rehabilitation of the 216km railway that connects to the refurbished Kisumu Port was undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces in partnership with KRC at a cost of Sh3.8 billion.
It was expected to facilitate transportation of cargo and passengers to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo on commercial ships via Lake Victoria.
Refurbished Kisumu Port
Uhuru commissioned the refurbished Kisumu Port, which was upgraded at a cost of Sh3 billion in a bid to help Kisumu regain its status as a regional business hub.
Among rehabilitation works at the port included the construction of the quayside, concreting of the port yard, rehabilitation of the dry dock, and installation of cargo handling equipment.
The roads and the link roads to the port were also rehabilitated, with jetties and piers also being put in place. There was also an overhaul of dilapidated boat deployers (ramps for lowering boats onto the lake) to boost efficiency.
400kV Transmission Line
The construction of a 308km 400/220/132kV transmission line from Olkaria in Naivasha to Kisumu was a big deal for Western Kenya. The Sh16 billion line was to evacuate electricity from Olkaria through Lessos, to Kisumu – supplying stable power to Kisumu Port.
The transmission line was built in three lots, the first of which involved the construction of the 229km 400kV double circuit line from the Olkaria II substation to the Lessos substation.
The second lot involved the construction of a 79km 220kV double circuit transmission line from the Lessos substation to the Kibos substation and 132kV from Kibos to Mamboleo in Kisumu.
The final lot involved the construction of a new 220/132kV substation at Kibos and extension of the present 400/220kV Lessos and 220kV Olkaria II substations.
Uhuru Business Park Complex
He commissioned the Sh700 million Uhuru Business Park on Nyerere Road.
President Uhuru also upgraded the 20,000-capacity Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium at Mamboleo ASK Show Ground, at a cost of Sh350 million.
President Ruto
For President Ruto, Homa Bay has been his preferred destination, where he is homely and has gained acceptance. It is Homa Bay, the bedroom of Raila, where Ruto has fished most of his allies, led by Internal Security and Administration Permanent Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, ODM National Chairperson, Governor Gladys Wanga, Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi, and Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma. His UDA and ODM party co-exist symbiotically.
Ruto has visited Homa Bay County more than he has visited any other part of the country and has woken the once sleepy town from dilapidated and eyesore structures to ultra-modern facilities.
Currently, Ruto is more at ease in Homa Bay than Eldoret, where he freely mingles with the residents and takes time to fry fish and engages with the public.
During this year’s Madaraka celebration presided over by President Ruto, he turned the story of Homa Bay town from a sleepy and underdeveloped to a vibrant and fast-emerging developing town in the country. The celebration came with a basket full of goodies.
Omollo said Homa Bay town, which previously had modest infrastructure, was elevated into a national hub capable of hosting one of the country’s national public holidays.
“Homa Bay town has witnessed comprehensive infrastructural upgrade and plans to prepare the town for its historic role are on schedule,” he said then.
Omollo said the transformation resulted in a fully modernised Raila Odinga Stadium, upgraded road networks in the town, rehabilitation of Kabunde Airstrip, improved public facilities and a rejuvenated waterfront.
“At the Raila Odinga Stadium, the government expanded the stadium capacity and upgraded its facilities, ensuring it meets the national ceremonial standards for the event.
The seating was increased to accommodate 20,000 spectators, while the construction of terraces, roofing of pavilions and installation of security features will ensure safety and comfort of all guests,” he said.
He said the stadium will have a media zone, emergency exits, floodlights and modern parade grounds, making it suitable for sports tournaments, regional events and national state functions.
Omollo said the government upgraded the roads, with more than 35 kilometres of roads under construction or rehabilitation within the town and its outskirts.
“The roads included 1.2km ceremonial road from the pier to the stadium, 2km road connecting Arojo to the stadium, 10.8km urban roads being improved, and rural link roads including Wahamba-Imbo 11km, and Ruga-Lala 12km are being murramed and upgraded to improve public access,” he said.
Omollo said at the Kabunde Airstrip, which will serve as the landing for the dignitaries, various works were ongoing including building of a modern terminal with check-in counters, waiting lounges, secure exits and VIP holding areas.
Omollo said the County Commissioner’s residence was upgraded to host the state garden party, which includes landscaping, internal renovation, new sanitation systems and raising of the perimeter wall.
Omollo said for the first time in history, Homa Bay has a mini state lodge; the temporary presidential residence will house the Head of State and serve as the Presidential Luncheon for the event.
State Lodge, a new centre of power
President Ruto has witnessed the construction of the State Lodge in Homa Bay town, which has become a new centre of power. This has positioned the region to host the Head of State at any time.
Affordable Housing
Homa Bay was the first county to benefit from this initiative, which has been progressively rolled out to other institutions nationwide.
The construction of the first student accommodation under the government’s Affordable Housing Programme commenced in Homa Bay County after President William Ruto laid the foundation stone for the Tom Mboya University Student Village.
The 2,064-bed facility was expected to address the deplorable living conditions faced by students, while meeting the growing demand for safe, affordable, and quality accommodation for university learners.
Homa Bay Pier and administrative block
Among the completed projects is the Sh600 million rehabilitation of Homa Bay Pier. Additionally, the second phase of the administration and lecture hall block at Tom Mboya University, which cost Sh1.2 billion, is nearing completion.
