Owalo Pushes for Faster Delivery of Key National Projects in Homa Bay

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 9 December 2025 - On the second day of his Nyanza tour, Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, conducted an intensive inspection of priority National Government projects in Homa Bay County, underscoring the administration’s commitment to accelerating development and creating local employment opportunities.

The visit, which followed a courtesy call on Governor Gladys Wanga, brought together a high-level team including County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi, Presidential Advisor Sylvester Kasuku, Homa Bay CEC for Trade and Industry Joash Aloo, and representatives from KURA, KCAA, KeNHA, MITI, KeRRA, as well as officers from the Government Delivery Unit.

The purpose of the day-long tour was clear: to verify progress on the ground, identify bottlenecks, and fast-track the implementation of projects designed to stimulate economic growth and improve access to essential services in the region. Owalo emphasised the need for accountability and efficiency, noting that these projects are crucial for unlocking Homa Bay’s potential in trade, tourism, agriculture, and industrial development.

One of the first stops was the Kabunde Airstrip in Homa Bay Subcounty, undergoing a KES 216 million runway rehabilitation by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

The project, currently at 65 percent completion, is expected to improve air connectivity and attract investors to Homa Bay and the broader Lake Victoria region. Owalo stressed that enhanced transport infrastructure will not only facilitate trade but also position Homa Bay as a strategic hub for regional business and tourism.

The inspection then moved to a critical road network in **Rachuonyo West Subcounty**, spanning Kadel, Alara, Pala, Kanyadhiang Centre, Kilusi, Opanga, and Ramba.

The 67km stretch, managed by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) at a cost of KES 4 billion, is currently only 7 percent complete.

Despite the slow pace, Owalo highlighted its transformative potential, saying the project will open up rural communities, improve access to schools, health facilities, and markets, and strengthen economic linkages across the county. He urged contractors to address delays and ensure timely delivery, noting that roads are critical for inclusive growth.

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Owalo also visited the Homa Bay County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Riwa, Rangwe, a flagship value-addition hub implemented jointly by the National Government through the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Innovation (MITI) and the county government. At 59 percent completion, the KES 498 million project, connected by a 3km KeNHA access road costing KES 424 million and 40 percent complete, is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, boost agro-processing, and create jobs.

Owalo emphasized that the park will anchor Blue Economy initiatives and catalyze industrial activity in the county.

The tour concluded at Rusinga Loop Ring Road in Mbita Subcounty, a 19.4km Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) project worth KES 1.3 billion, which is 99 percent complete and ready for commissioning. Owalo described the road as a “game-changer” for tourism, fisheries, and agriculture around Rusinga Island and the broader Lake Victoria corridor, noting that its completion will enhance mobility and spur socio-economic development.

Throughout the tour, Owalo repeatedly underscored the government’s determination to fast-track transformative projects, urging stakeholders to address implementation challenges promptly and efficiently.

He reiterated that infrastructure development, industrialization, and strategic investments are central to the administration’s plan to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and expand economic opportunities in Homa Bay and the wider Nyanza region.

The second day of the tour highlighted not only the scale of national government investments in Homa Bay County but also the critical role of effective oversight, coordination, and timely execution in delivering tangible benefits to local communities.

With projects like the Rusinga Loop Ring Road nearing completion and the CAIP and rural road networks progressing, Owalo’s visit served as a clear signal that the government remains committed to ensuring that residents of Homa Bay fully reap the dividends of devolution and national development plans.