Ruto hosts Orengo and Siaya leaders, pledges development support

President William Ruto met with leaders and businesspeople from Siaya County at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday.

The President assured the delegation, led by Governor James Orengo, of the government’s commitment to development projects in both the county and the nation.

He announced that the government will invest KSh1 billion to develop blue economy infrastructure, which includes KSh600 million for Usenge Pier and its associated port facilities, as well as KSh400 million for a fish market.

Additionally, the President stated that the government will construct 16 markets in the county at a cost of KSh2.5 billion, while KSh1.6 billion has been allocated for the last mile electricity programme to connect 16,000 households.

“We are looking for another KSh500 million ti enable us to connect another 5,000 households to electricity,” President Ruto said.

In terms of agriculture, the President explained that Siaya, along with other counties, would benefit from the government’s cotton farming revival programme, which has the potential to create thousands of jobs and generate income for farmers.

“We export $500 million (KSh65 billion) worth of textile products to the United States annually, but we import most the of textiles used to make the garments. This must change,” he emphasized.

The President revealed that the African Export-Import Bank (Afriexim) would inject an initial KSh20 billion to revitalize the cotton industry.

He added that a strategic private investor has been identified to restore operations at the Eldoret-based Rivatex East Africa Ltd.

Regarding the expansion of Odera Akang’o University, President Ruto stated that the government would finalize plans to acquire more land for the institution while simultaneously completing stalled infrastructure projects at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

He expressed his gratitude to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for agreeing to collaborate with him in the broad-based government.

“Whenever we have found ourselves at a crossroads as a country, Baba, being the great statesman that he is, has always taken bold decisions in the best interest of this nation,” President Ruto noted.

“Our transformative programs, including the leasing of public sugar factories to make them profitable, would not have been possible without the broad-based government,” he added.

Also present were Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, MPs, MCAs, clergy, and other leaders.