By Hope Barbra 

President William Ruto at the weekend commissioned the Sh 1.046 billion Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala water supply in Siaya county.

Speaking in Ugunja, President Ruto said 20,000 families in the area will benefit from the water supply and that the government will give SH 100M for last mile connectivity.

“I came for church service in the area, but I was informed that I had to commission water project in the area. They ask me to come here and commission this project.

I am here today, because Kenya’s development programs top my priority agenda. We have agreed that we will not entertain politics of division and tribalism.

We want every corner of the country to also benefit from the national government projects.

We are here today, because of the water project. The water project we are commissioning today, we want it to benefit 100,000 people.

From Ugunja to Ukwala,I have met the chief executive officer of Lake Victoria South Water Works Jackline Kemunto and she has said, she wants the water to reach all the homes.

You want the last mile connectivity, on that note, I want to tell the cabinet secretary of Water and Irrigation, he is present here, that after two weeks, he should prepare a budget that will ensure the water is supplied to all homes.

The broad-based government has given out Sh 100M to distribute the water in all homes. We have agreed with your governor James Orengo, that we will partner in this undertaking.

Your governor will also allocate some funds for water extension, and the national government will also give out additional funds to ensure every home is served with water,” he said.

The Project is part of the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program (KTSWSSP), jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya.

The project was designed to serve over 100,000 people across the towns of Ugunja, Sega and Ukwala with a daily supply capacity of 8.4 million litres of water.

Key features of the project include:

Energy efficiency: The system incorporates three hydro-power turbines, generating renewable energy that will save over KShs. 790,000 monthly on electricity costs.

A standby pumping system to ensure uninterrupted water supply.

Construction of six reservoir tanks: 85 km of transmission and distribution pipelines, nine water kiosks and three ablution blocks

A scheme office: acquisition of a water bowser and last-mile connectivity materials to extend service to underserved areas.

This project marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation in growing urban centers, enhancing public health, economic productivity and quality of life in the region.

Ahead of the commissioning by the president, Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric M. Mugaa  inspected the Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water and Sanitation Project. He was accompanied by Water Secretary Eng. Samwel Alima, LVSWWDA Chairman Mr. Daniel Omino, LVSWWDA CEO Ms. Jackline Kemunto, CRVWWDA Chairman Hon. Ndiritu Mathenge and CRVWWDA CEO CPA Douglas Murei

By Hope Barbra

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board (KMPDB) has clarified and confirmed that Matata Nursing Home has not been deregistered and is active in their register.

The Chief Executive officer (CEO) Dr David G Kariuki in a letter to the director of Matata Nursing home, John Malago  wrote” reference is made to your letter dated 27^th August 2025 on facility KMPDU registration number 000600. This is to formally confirm that Matata Nursing Home, registration number 000600, license number 6907175 is currently active in our register.

Should you further   clarification, do not hesitate to contact the undersigned, “dated 28^th August 2025.

Malago said their facility was compliant and SHA compliant with the patients using the SHA facility to access treatment at the facility.

“We are registered by SHA and the patients registered under SHA visiting our facilities have been accessing medical care service. We are compliant and operate within the law,” he said.

He said the deregistered Matata Nursing Home Company limited is not related anyway to the Matata Nursing Home hospital and have different registration numbers.

“It is unfortunate that a section of the media decided to use the photo of our history in their story without verifying with us. That was unprofessional and was meant to paint us negatively.

We are law abiding facility and operate professionally.  We condemn the negative campaign by some quarters who harbor ulterior motive, “he said.

Malago said their facility was established in 1992 and is a leading health care service provider in the greater Southern Nyanza.

By Habil Onyango

Homa Bay County Assembly Clerk Hanningtone Dey Abeka has responded sharply to former Speaker Julius Gaya’s recent criticism of Governor Gladys Wanga’s development record, saying Gaya should be the last person to speak ill of the Governor.

Abeka pointed out that when Gaya held office and enjoyed the privileges of his position, he frequently praised Wanga for her efforts in developing the county. However, since resigning, Gaya has begun to criticize the Governor’s performance.

“When Gaya was receiving salaries and other benefits from the county government, he was very vocal in telling residents how positively Governor Wanga was changing their lives,” said Abeka.

“Now that he has decided to step down, he is criticizing the Governor’s development record.” He spoke

Gaya recently made remarks in Karachuonyo, blaming the Governor for failing to fulfill her pledges to the people of the region, which Gaya hails from.

Despite supporting Wanga’s candidacy during the last elections, he expressed regret during a funeral service in Karachuonyo, apologizing to the community for convincing them to support her.

“Through my influence, you accepted and voted for Wanga as the next Governor. However, I apologize for misleading you; she has completely failed to honor the promises she made during the campaigns,” Gaya stated.

He also criticized Wanga for delays in employee salaries, which he claims have reached up to two months.

Abeka countered that Homa Bay has only one leader—the Governor—and that she deserves respect.

He accused Gaya of jeopardizing other people’s futures due to his greed during his tenure.

Furthermore, Abeka urged Gaya to stop dragging the Governor’s name into discussions about salary delays, explaining that the funds for employee salaries come from the National Treasury and are only disbursed when released.

“If salaries are delayed, how is Gaya concerned since he chose to resign from his position?” Abeka asked. “Does he expect the Governor to go and milk cows to sell for paying employees?”

In Kanyaluo ward, Abeka emphasized that Wanga has made significant strides in developing Homa Bay in just three years since her election.

“The level of development that the Governor has brought to Homa Bay is impressive,” he said, adding that he believes there will be no worthy competitor against Wanga in the 2027 general elections.

Gaya, who has also faced criticism from some ODM officials and MCAs, has expressed regret for advocating for a “young lady” to lead the people of Karachuonyo.

ODM Karachuonyo branch chairman George Maigo described Gaya’s remarks on Wanga’s performance as unfortunate.

Maigo stated, “What Wanga has accomplished in the last three years cannot be compared to what the previous administration, led by Governor Cyprian Awiti, achieved in ten years while Gaya was serving as an MCA.”

He urged Gaya to refrain from comments that portray the people of Karachuonyo as against Wanga’s leadership. “Wanga was elected by the people, and her administration is centered on the people,” Maigo emphasized.

Maigo asserted that Gaya does not represent Karachuonyo and should not claim to speak on behalf of the voters ahead of the 2027 elections, as the party will guide the direction of the electorate.

Governor Wanga has previously defended her development record and her appointments in Karachuonyo, highlighting that nearly half of her county appointees come from the region. Among those appointed are her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, Agriculture Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM), and other CECMs, including Joash Aloo (Trade), Dannish Onyango (Roads), Solomon Obiero (Finance), and Elijah Munga (Sports), among others.

“Almost half of my government comes from Rachuonyo,” Wanga said at a past event.

Gaya, however, told those opposed to his comments that he is yet to start a real criticism on Wanga’s leadership.

By Anderson Ojwang

Despite Siaya county being the home to Kenya’s first vice President the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and also to the father of devolution, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the county has remained sleepy in terms of development.

Siaya County’s Gross County Product (GCP) was Sh 136,809 million in 2022, making up about 1% of Kenya’s national GDP.

 Agriculture remains a key driver of the local economy, contributing roughly 60% of its output, with significant opportunities also present in the blue economy sector, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture.

Any visitor to Siaya would be welcomed by the site of rusty and delipidated buildings, poor road networks, limping economy and hot politics, which are the common menu served in the county.

For Siaya, they had resigned to fate after the fall out between Oginga and president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and signed divorce deed with development.

This explains why the people of Rarieda constituency voted out former cabinet minister Raphael Tuju, who initiated several projects in education, roads and health for supporting then president Mwai Kibaki.

Equally, because of the hot politics, a US investor Calvin Burges, of the Dominion Farms at Yala swamp had to relocate and subsequently Siaya returned to its ghost status with no meaningful investment in agribusiness and other trade.

In the early 2000s, Burges, reclaimed 7,200 hectares, build canals, dykes, spillways and revived the dying Kanyaboli and namboya lakes and turned the swamp into a jewel.

Dominion farm became the innovation hub by producing high quality aromatic rice, fish farming, with a hatchery producing 2.3 million fingerlings a month, stirred the local economy and employed over 1,500.

Despite all these achievements, the former Siaya county assembly vowed to kick out the American investor and Dominion farms CEO Calvin Burgess from Yala swamp, accusing him of belittling the community by peddling falsehoods.  

Before he relocated Burges claimed senior politicians from the region were frustrating his business by extorting money from him and issuing threats.

Currently, Siaya government who was opposed to broad based government and leaders from Siaya witnessing transformative developments in Homa Bay county by the national government are set to benefit from Sh 24 billion projects.

President Ruto yesterday said while in Siaya that the government will spend a total of Sh24 billion this financial year to build 8,000 affordable housing units, 18 new markets, and 11,000-bed student hostels in the county.

He said the National Government has also increased funding for roads in Siaya County from KSh500 million in 2024 to KSh2.5 billion this year, adding that this would be enhanced with another KSh1.5 billion in the course of this financial year.

“In the next one year, you will see a noticeable difference in the road network not only in Siaya, but also across the country,” he said.

On electricity, he said KSh1.8 billion has been set aside to connect 14,000 households to power in the county.

Meanwhile, another KSh550 million has been allocated for the modernization of the local stadium and KSh500 million for a hospital, both in Siaya town.

Furthermore, President Ruto announced that the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will soon commence the construction of a pier in Usenge, which will be accompanied by a new market.

President Rito also commissioned the KSh1 billion Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which will provide more than 10 million liters of water every day to 20,000 households in the area.

He also laid the foundation stone for a modern KSh70 million market at Sidindi centre, Ugunja Constituency.

The President thanked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for agreeing to work with him in the broad-based government, saying Kenyans will achieve a lot when united.

“I stand here in Siaya and say thank you to Raila for agreeing to work with me in the broad-based government to accelerate Kenya’s development,” he said.

He added that Kenya is a country of immense potential and requires bold leadership to take the country to the league of developed nations.

“There is no shortage of resources or plans. What stands between Kenya and greatness is lack of focused, patriotic, courageous and visionary leadership,” he said.

He pointed out that in just three years since he assumed office, savings at the National Social Security Fund have doubled from KSh320 billion to KSh640 billion.

James Orengo has changed tune and now says the future is bright for President William Ruto and the people of Kenya.

Speaking in Siaya, Orengo said provided that Ruto continue to work for Kenyans and the people of Siaya, his future and that of the country is bright.

A departure from activism and criticism, Orengo acknowledged that “So far, the work is going on and we are happy with the ongoing programs. How many of you agree to the broad-based government to gain development? Siaya, Ugenya, Gem, Alega, Bondo, Rarieda, do you agree to support the broad-based government?”

Previously, Orengo was one of the key Raila’s allies who were opposed to the broad-based government and ran into trouble with his colleagues from Nyanza and the ODM party.

Orengo has been in the recent past frequenting government offices for development projects with some of the projects already rolled out in the county.

The government will not relent in its push to take the procurement of the goods and services it buys on a digital platform, President William Ruto has said.

The President said government officials resisting the new e-procurement system are beneficiaries of the old system, but they will not succeed.

“Procurement and accounting officers do not want this programme because they have been benefiting from the old system,” he said.

He added: “No amount of blackmail and intimidation will force us to go back on the electronic procurement. Any government official who is not willing to use it can resign and go pursue other interests.”

He made the remarks during a church service at Saint Peter’s ACK Cathedral in Alego Usonga Constituency, Siaya County, on Sunday.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and John Mbadi (Treasury), Principal Secretaries, MPs, MCAs, among other leaders, were present.

The e-procurement system was launched in July 2025 and will be the sole platform for all public procurement processes.

President Ruto said digitisation of government services promotes efficiency, transparency and accountability.

“We have said we are putting this e-procurement in place so that everybody can know how much an item was bought for and who sold it to the government,” he said.

He also pointed out that the Social Health Authority’s digital systems were able to identify fraudsters trying to unjustly benefit from the new health system.

“The defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund accumulated a staggering KSh30 billion debt because its systems were weak and opaque. We have eliminated all that in SHA,” he said.

The President maintained that the government will not honor pending NHIF claims without first verifying them to weed out the fake ones from the genuine ones.

On development projects in Siaya, the President said the government is spending a total of KSh24 billion this financial year to build 8,000 affordable housing units, 18 new markets, and 11,000-bed student hostels in the county.

He said the National Government has increased funding for roads in Siaya County from KSh500 million in 2024 to KSh2.5 billion this year, adding that this would be enhanced with another KSh1.5 billion in the course of this financial year.

“In the next one year, you will see a noticeable difference in the road network not only in Siaya, but also across the country,” he said.

The President said the government is spending KSh300 billions of locally raised funds to complete stalled roads and start new ones.

On electricity, he said KSh1.8 billion has been set aside to connect 14,000 households to power in the county.

Meanwhile, another KSh550 million has been allocated for the modernization of the local stadium and KSh500 million for a hospital, both in Siaya town.

Furthermore, President Ruto announced that the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will soon commence the construction of a pier in Usenge, which will be accompanied by a new market.

The President thanked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for agreeing to work with him in the broad-based government, saying Kenyans will achieve a lot when united.

“I stand here in Siaya and say thank you to Raila for agreeing to work with me in the broad-based government to accelerate Kenya’s development,” he said.

He added that Kenya is a country of immense potential and requires bold leadership to take the country to the league of developed nations.

“There is no shortage of resources or plans. What stands between Kenya and greatness is lack of focused, patriotic, courageous and visionary leadership,” he said.

He pointed out that in just three years since he assumed office, savings at the National Social Security Fund have doubled from KSh320 billion to KSh640 billion.

Further, President Ruto cited reforms in the agriculture, education, and health sectors, which he said are now starting to deliver for ordinary Kenyans.

After the Sunday service, the President commissioned the KSh1 billion Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which will provide more than 10 million liters of water every day to 20,000 households in the area.

He also laid the foundation stone for a modern KSh70 million market at Sidindi centre, Ugunja Constituency.

By Anderson Ojwang

The new procurement system will finally bring an end to the manipulation of procurement process and tackle corruption in tendering.

For eons, cartels have manipulated the tendering process and denied other players fair competition in contract awards.

This explains the opposition to the recent new e-procurement system introduced by Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

The National Treasury last year issued the circular directing all public institutions, including ministries, state corporations, and county governments, to exclusively use the e-GP system for procurement activities by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year.

Recently, the Council of Governors demanded that Treasury revert to the previous procurement system, or they will defy and seek legal redress.

The governors claim that the new system has been implemented haphazardly leading to confusion and paralysis in delivery of services in counties.

Council of Governors Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said: “We have a crisis regarding e-procurement. Something operationally is not adding up, and we might end up not absorbing any funding.”

Similarly, in the National Assembly, the MPs unanimously endorsed a report by the Delegated Legislation Committee to annul a circular requiring all government agencies to procure goods and services exclusively through the new electronic government procurement system (e-GP).

MPs sitting on the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee questioned the readiness of public entities to adopt the digital platform as well as its transparency and accessibility.

But Mbadi has stood his ground that all the procurement process must go through the new system and dismissed Parliament’s move to annul a circular mandating all public institutions to use the electronic system, insisting that only the Cabinet can overturn such a government directive.

He explained that the circular, like other Treasury-issued directives on zero-based budgeting and the Treasury Single Account, remains legally binding and forms part of the government’s reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in public financial management.

“I issued a circular for the adoption of e-procurement and that is still the position until Cabinet revokes it. I did not present anything to Parliament for revocation.

There has been contention that e-procurement was revoked. Let me be clear: Parliament has not revoked anything. If any government officer is going to use that as an excuse, I will not accept it

Those opposing the transition are individuals keen on manipulating the procurement system for selfish interests.

I was hired to bring change. Parliament vetted me, and I told them I would implement e-procurement, and they applauded me for it. So how can Parliament now turn around and say the move violates the Constitution? They should show me where,” he said

Mbadi has maintained that the e-procurement directive remains intact, and Parliament has no power to revoke it.

He warned against attempts to undermine the system by some individuals with vested interests in manual tendering processes, noting that opposition to the new system is rooted in efforts to preserve corruption loopholes.

“They want us to go back to manual so they can manipulate tenders by plucking papers.

Once the POs are prepared, we lock the budget. That means when you make payments, they align with the purchase orders. This eliminates cases where you procure but can’t pay because the budget was used elsewhere, “he said.

Mbadi had said the government projected that the e-GP system could save Kenya up to Sh50 billion annually by curbing procurement-related corruption and inefficiencies.

But the MPs raised several concerns about the mandatory adoption of the e-GP system, arguing that it could disadvantage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and businesses in remote areas with limited internet access. 

Mbadi said already 31 counties have submitted budgets and received clearance from the Controller of Budget, four counties are ready to upload on the e-GP system, while 27 counties are finalizing their submissions.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki acknowledged challenges facing some county governments and national government agencies, including his own office, but emphasized that the issues must be resolved, not used as an excuse to return to manual procurement.

Kindiki : “We agree that counties and even my office are experiencing challenges on e-procurement. But we must resolve them, because we will never accept going back to the manual system.”

The Council of Governors (CoG) caucus, have accused  Mbadi of ignoring a recent decision by the National Assembly to annul the mandatory use of e-GPS by all public procuring entities effective July 1, 2025.

Several legislators said the digital infrastructure required to support the system is not yet uniformly available across the country, particularly in rural regions. 

They cited the risk of excluding businesses that lack the technological capacity or resources to engage with the online platform, potentially stifling economic participation.

The committee, chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, also pointed out that the Treasury had failed to conduct adequate stakeholder consultations before issuing the circular. 

They further said that the directive was implemented hastily, without sufficient training or sensitization for public institutions and suppliers.

Several legislators called for a phased approach to the e-GP system’s rollout, suggesting that the government address infrastructure gaps and provide capacity-building programs before enforcing mandatory use.

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