Nyanza tour: Kidero issues demands to Uhuru ahead of Madaraka celebrations
Former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero has listed five issues President Uhuru Kenyatta should address when he visits Nyanza region next week during Madaraka Day celebrations in Kisumu County.
In a long post on his verified Facebook page, Kidero said the issues should be addressed in order to "catapult the recovery of the Lake Region economy".
Top on Kidero's list is water connectivity of Kisumu to Kendu Bay, Kajimo, Homa Bay, Mbita, Mfangano, Sindo, Nyandiwa and Sori following the reviltalization of the Kisumu Port which is almost complete.
"The six jetties in Homa Bay should be rehabilitated and the 141 landing beaches developed," Kidero said.
Second in the list is value addition projects and fish processing industries in the Lake Victoria region to increase productivity.
"For instance, Mbita Causeway should be deepened from the current 2m to 12 metres depth to improve the ecosystem of the Kavirondo Gulf side of Lake Victoria in order to increase fish availability," he stated.
Thirdly, the former also wants the construction of the Lake Victoria Ring road from Bumala in Busia, through Siaya, Kisumu, to Kendu Bay, Homa Hills, Homa Bay, Mbita, and making a flexuous stretch to Sindo, Sori and Muhuru Bay be prioritised.
"This investment will supplement the waterways and propel the Inland triangular trade with Uganda and Tanzania," he said.
The fourth issue in Kidero list is energy which he said constant blackouts and unstable electric power have for a long time scared investors from the lake region.
"Electricity should be stabilized through the construction of more sub-stations and fully exploiting our solar and geothermal potentials," he recommended.
And lastly, Kidero called on the national government to complete the constructiuon of Sh6 billion Kimira-Oluch Small Farm Improvement Project (KOSFIP), an irrigation project for Karachuonyo and Rangwe Sub Counties meant to increase food security and reduce over-reliance on food imports.
"With stable electricity and diversified energy sources, improved water transport and the connectivity provided by the ring road, accelerated industrialization, the Lake Region would witness an economic bloom that would kickstart our renaissance Homa Bay agenda," he concluded.
