By Anderson Ojwang
Political leaders from Western Kenya may be having the last laugh at the impeached deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who chided and criticized the Luhya leaders for failing to secure development programs for the community.
In various interviews, Gachagua has said both the speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi negotiated with President William Ruto for the 30 percent in resource allocation but had not secured any development to the region.
Gachagua bragged of how he negotiated and secured the demands for Mt Kenya in terms of development and state appointment when they formed the government while Wetangula and Mudavadi became a laughingstock for failing to represent the community interest in terms of development and state appointments.
But the formation of broad based and President Ruto declaration of affirmative action to benefit regions that were previously marginalized by the previous regimes, is a blessing to Mudavadi and his team as it has opened a new chapter in Luhya land.
Kakamega county is currently witnessing multi billions development projects that will transform the region.
The game changer is the Kakamega Bungoma water project, targeting economic transformation agenda of the region and will cost Sh 33B. The project will draw water from Nabuyole falls and will serve 2.6 m people across Webuye, Mateta, Malava, Navakholo and Kakamega town.
The Bukura-Khishwero water supply project will benefit over 580,000 people across Kakamega county and Vihiga with an investment of Sh 1.5 billion.
Phase two of Mumias water supply project is in the pipeline and is worth Sh 500m and will connect over 6000 households.
On Sanitation, Kakamega town, Maraba sewerage project is being implemented at a cost of Sh 840m and is targeting over 40,000 residents.
The strategic high impact projects include road upgrade along Kakamega – Nabhulo Musikoma, Bungoma corridor which is 45 kilometers stretch at a cost of Sh 2.5 billion and construction of a brand-new bridge across river Nzoia. This will boost mobility and inter county trade.
The 16 kilometers Mumias-Musanda road is now over 80percent complete and is upgraded to bitumen standards at a cost of Sh 628m and will ease access to Mumias town and the surrounding.
Ibokolo-Indangalasia-Shuanda-Nambacha road is budgeted to Sh 1.2 billion and will unlock new economic opportunities in rural areas
The Lunza-Shiraha-Ikolmani-Manyula-Ikolomani-Kwishero-Eshibinga road is also being upgraded to link farmers to key markets.
On water infrastructure, Sh 2.3 billion has been earmarked for Malava cluster water project to enhance access to clean and portable water with e 115,000 residents expected to benefit.
In Ikolomani, the Kakamega gold processing factory is at 75 percent complete with Sh 300M investment, and this will support value addition in the country’s mining sector.
The government is constructing affordable housing in Milimani in Lurambi with 220 modern unit housing worth of Sh 473M
Equally, the government is constructing six modern markets in Lunza, Muregu Shisele, Sisokhe, Kakunga and Chekalini which are being developed under ESP program with progress between 17-72 percent while in Lukuyani, the aggregation center and industrial park is being developed at a cost of Sh 500m,
At Masinde Muliro university, the government is constructing a new engineering and TVET complex valued at sh 717M.
To ensure food security, Sh 298M has been allocated for Navakholo irrigation project that benefit 2000 farmers while thousands of acres of land will be brought under irrigation.
Kakamega County referral hospital is being elevated to a level six National Teaching and Referral Hospital, with the construction of an ultramodern complex ongoing.
The Lurambi Kakamega airstrip to Chepsonoi- Shinyalu road which is 25Km is set to be upgraded and it is estimated to cost Sh 2B to strengthen regional connectivity.
A new 35 kilometers road from Turbo-Shiendu road through Naitiri will cost Sh4B linking Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has commended President William Ruto for supporting the completion of stalled infrastructure projects in the county, calling it a turning point for the region’s development.
Barasa singled out two major projects – the 750-bed Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital and the Bukhungu Stadium – as evidence of renewed national-county collaboration.
“The hospital is almost complete,” the governor said. “It’s a Ksh800 million joint effort, with Ksh500 million from the national government and Ksh00 million from the county. This is more than a building — it’s about improving lives, one patient, one job at a time.”
Once operational, the hospital is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs and significantly expand access to healthcare in the region. Barasa also revealed that the facility will host a modern cancer center.
“The center will save residents the cost and hardship of travelling long distances for specialized care,” Barasa said, hinting at further partnerships with the national government to boost healthcare in Western Kenya.
Bukhungu Stadium whose completion is now within reach thanks to additional national support and a county investment of Ksh700 million.
According to Barasa, the upgraded facility would position Kakamega as a regional sports hub and provide a platform for nurturing local talent.
Ruto has reiterated his commitment to transforming the region through infrastructure development, including providing access to electricity, which he believes will spur economic opportunities, enhance educational outcomes, and elevate living standards.
“This is part of our effort to ensure that more homes and institutions in Western Kenya have access to reliable electricity,” he added.
The Last Mile project is not only expected to improve quality of life but also contribute to the overall modernization of Kakamega County, in line with the government’s development agenda.
