Poor opinion poll ranking has jolted some Homa Bay residents and now want Governor Cyprian Awiti to "pull his socks up" and implement development projects.
The residents are unhappy with the way the Awiti administration has been handling projects.
Last week, an Infotrak Research report ranked Homa Bay number 39 out of 47 in performance. Five years ago, the county was number 46 out of 47.
Residents who talked to the media called on Awiti to address the underdevelopment in the county.
Businessman Carilus Ademba urged the governor to pull his socks up, revitalise and complete stalled flagship projects before his term ends in 2022.
A similar call came from Evans Oloo and Michael Kojo.
Ademba said in Kasipul that it was a shame for the county to continue being so poorly ranked.
“It’s time the governor visited project sites and approve them himself before paying contractors. Homa Bay people want to see value for their monies,” the former county Trade executive member said.
He said Awiti's legacy projects like Kegoto Maize Mill in Suba South, Arujo Animals Feed in Homa Bay, potato and pineapple processing plants in Kabondo Kasipul and Rangwe might not be realised.
“The animal feed and maize mill projects have been receiving their budget allocations since 2015 but they are stalled. There’s nothing Awiti will be remembered for should his administration fail complete the projects,” Ademba added.
Oloo and Kojo told Awiti to remove the county from the bottom list before campaigns to succeed him begin. He should start by reorganising his cabinet, they said.
“The governor is serving his second and final term in office. I don’t see any negative impact he can have if he fires underperforming officials who drag him behind,” Oloo said.
Kojo said many youths will be employed if the flagship projects are completed.
“Addressing the unemployment rate among the youth will not come as a miracle should the county government sit back with uncompleted projects,”he said.
Former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga said Awiti has had ample time to fulfill his campaign pledges.
Magwanga, who unsuccessfully ran against Awiti in 2017, asked county government officials to slow down over the 2022 gubernatorial race.
“You can’t serve two masters at the same time. Officials who engage in early campaigns cannot concentrate on work,” he said.
- mwaniki fm
