•The projects to be inspected by a team of Principal Secretaries include Marine School in Kisumu, Migori county headquarters, Homa Bay Pier and fish market.
•The government is implementing a 2.5 billion Kabonyo Kanyagwal fisheries and aquaculture project in Kisumu targeted at boosting fishing in the region.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
President William Ruto's high-powered delegation will embark on a development tour in the Nyanza region to assess the progress of the government projects.
The projects to be inspected by a team of Principal Secretaries include the Marine School in Kisumu, Migori county headquarters, Homa Bay Pier and fish market on Saturday.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo who will lead the delegation said Marine School offers courses that give critical skills to the youth to take advantage of Lake Victoria.
He spoke during the two-day capacity strengthening for the government's development agenda on the food and nutrition security forum on coordination of national government policies, projects and programs in Kisumu.
The government is implementing a 2.5 billion Kabonyo Kanyagwal fisheries and aquaculture project in Kisumu targeted at boosting fishing in the region.
In Homa Bay, the team will tour the pier and fish market that will support the key economic activity of fishing in the region. They will also visit affordable housing projects and Tom Mboya University.
Omollo-led delegation will also tour Migori county headquarters, which has stalled for many years, for a fact-finding mission.
The PS noted that the tour targets to renew the commitment to not only continue the efforts but to also resolve any bottlenecks that may impede the project's progress in the region and country at large.
"Together, we can redefine the future of our nation and ensure a prosperous, secure, and healthy Kenya for all," Omollo said.
Another stalled project is the Sh19.8 billion Koru-Soin dam which was expected to end in 2027.
The project is aimed at controlling the perennial flooding in Nyando, irrigation, hydropower generation, and supply of potable water in both Kisumu and Kericho counties.
He noted the regional and county implementation coordination and management committees for Working diligently to enhance the coordination of government funded projects in the region.
"Their efforts ensure that all stakeholders are engaged throughout the project cycle, increasing both the visibility and relevance of our interventions," Omollo said.
He praised the partnership of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in supporting the government's food security initiatives, which tops President Ruto's administration's transformative agenda.
"We will showcase the impacts of projects such as the Otati water project in Migori county which benefits more than 350 households and supports thousands of livestock," Omollo said.
The project, he noted, was in line with the transformative journey through the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The PS, however, noted that BETA advocates for a value-chain approach where infrastructure such as the Otati water dam, which he said must be complemented by investments that support irrigation and water provision.
With such Investments, he said, will enable communities to thrive in food production.
The transformative agenda represents a significant pivot for the national policy and development strategy aimed at forging an equitable economic structure that prioritises the needs and potential of citizens, especially those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
"The essence of BETA is to promote equitable economic growth and significantly reduce inequality," The Interior PS said.
BETA focuses on Agriculture geared towards enhancing food security and productivity through robust support for smallholder farmers and strengthening of agricultural value chains.
Besides food security, the government focuses on micro, small and medium enterprises to bolster the sector to create sustainable jobs and improve livelihoods in the country.
He also outlined affordable housing aimed at increasing access to housing and improving conditions for the people, and universal healthcare.
"The government is committed to strengthening our healthcare system to ensure that all Kenyans have access to quality medical services," Omollo said.
The digital superhighway and creative economy seeks to unlock new avenues for economic growth and job creation by promoting the country's digital infrastructure and creative industries.
"These pillars collectively aim to lower the cost of living, eradicate hunger, create employment opportunities and foster inclusive growth," Omollo said.
"They align with and are integral to Kenya's fourth medium-term plan for 2023-27."
President Ruto, he said, established the National Development and Implementation committees which include the governance and public administration committees for effective implementation of BETA.
Omollo is a member of sub-committees constituted of PSs for Performance and Delivery Management, Devolution, Cabinet Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, East Africa Community Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Affairs, Immigration, Correctional, Defence and Solicitor General.
They serve in the development and implementation framework within which we guide actions to ensure that development projects are well-sourced and meet all statutory requirements for success.
"We are committed to identifying and managing risks associated with development projects and promoting accountability to build trust among stakeholders, including the public and development partners," he said.
"We are redefining project execution and evaluation, ensuring timely decisions that keep projects moving forward effectively."