By Sandra Blessing
Siaya town has lagged in terms of infrastructural development despite being the headquarters of Siaya County.
Towns such as Bondo and Ukwala have come to challenge Siaya in terms of infrastructural development and investment opportunities.
Both Bondo and Ukwala have emerged as potential investment hubs, while Siaya town has stagnated for eons.
A new lease of life has been pumped into the town with the advent of devolution, which has stirred serious economic activities.
However, several uncompleted structures remain a dominant feature in Siaya and greet one as he/she enters the town.
But investment in hotels and restaurants has been on the rise in the town.
Siaya Governor James Orengo welcomed the elevation of the institution, terming it a milestone.
Orengo wrote on his X handle, formerly Twitter: “Congratulations and much appreciation to the government for the elevation of Siaya Institute of Technology to a national polytechnic, together with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, which has been elevated to a Level 6 hospital and State Corporation.
These are major milestones that will improve the two institutions’ service delivery to the people.“
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also reposted and liked Orengo’s tweet on his handle.
The elevation comes together with the establishment of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital as a State Corporation.
Dr Paul Saoke of Siaya Professionals welcomed the development, saying the elevation was in the right direction and would open Siaya County to various opportunities.
“We are likely to witness investment in residential areas, and the money flow in the town will increase.
This is a positive development for the region, and we look forward to more developments spread across Nyanza,” he said.
