By PCS

President William Ruto concluded a four-day working tour of Nyanza on Tuesday with a firm pledge to ensure equitable and inclusive development across the country.

The President regretted that previous regimes had marginalised Nyanza region yet it has huge resources that can help transform the lives of residents of the Lake Victoria basin.

Saying all Kenyans are equal and deserve to be served by the government without discrimination, he pointed out that this was the philosophy of his administration from day one.

He said the Lake Victoria basin has huge blue economy resources that can transform the region and the lives of residents.

President Ruto explained that the government was investing KSh9.5 billion to harness the blue economy, including construction of piers, fish landing sites, aquaculture centres, and rescue boats and centres.

“The exploitation of the blue economy resources will create jobs and improve livelihoods for the residents of the lake region,” he said.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the KSh1 billion Usenge Pier in Bondo Constituency, Siaya County, the President noted that a pier in Homa Bay had been completed while another was being built at Muhuru Bay in Migori.

The Usenge Beach Pier, which is being built by the Kenya Shipyards Ltd, will enhance water transport between Kisumu and Homa Bay counties, and at the same time promoting sustainable use of resources in Lake Victoria.

The President also announced that the government will establish a fishermen rescue centre in Siaya at a cost of KSh250 million.

“This centre will be coming to the aid of fisherfolk when accidents happen in the lake,” he said.

Additionally, the government will acquire rescue boats worth KSh70 million to support rescue and safety of fisherfolk.

It will also invest another KSh70 million in fish cages to support aquaculture and raise productivity.

“This investment in the blue economy is expected to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for young people,” the President said.

“We have taken an important step in expanding maritime infrastructure and unlocking new opportunities in fishing, transport, and regional trade.”

He also explained that 10 landing sites would be built along the shores of Lake Victoria all the way from Busia to Migori.

Already, construction of the Asat landing site in Seme Constituency, Kisumu County, had begun.

Addressing Wananchi in Sori in Nyatike Constituency, Migori County, where he laid the foundation stone for 748 affordable housing units, the President a Ksh200 million modern market would be built at the town to stimulate trade and provide businesses with a conducive environment to work.

“We have also secured a private investor to establish a rice mill in Nyatike. It will add value to local produce and support farmers with a ready market,” he said.

President Ruto also inspected ongoing works at Lichota Airstrip in Suna West, Migori, saying it is a strategic investment that is being upgraded to enhance regional connectivity, including linking the region with neighbouring Tanzania and boosting tourism at the Masai Mara National Reserve.

On the legal issues facing former Cabinet minister Raphael Yuji, President Ruto told opposition leaders to stop seeking cheap popularity over the misery of a fellow citizen.

“Tuju needs honest friends; he needs honest advice on how to solve his problems and no scavengers seeking popularity over problems facing a fellow Kenyan,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the President thanked the residents of Nyanza for their continued support of the Broad-Based Government and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on the agenda that will transform people’s lives.

Present were Migori Governors Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) and James Orengo (Siaya), Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed and MPs, who commended President Ruto for ensuring equal development across the country.

“Nyanza has been marginalised since independence. We are grateful that President Ruto’s administration is correcting the mess,” Mr Mohammed, who is also the Suna East MP, said.

Governor Ayacko said residents of Nyanza have resolved to support for a second term in 2027, saying he has implemented what ODM leader Raila Odinga had wanted for the region and Kenya.