- Owalo said the conference will collectively focus on development of the region as well as the people.
- The conference will bring together delegates from the Nyanza region and country at large, Eastern Africa and the Diaspora, with a view to waking up the Sleeping Giant.
Image: HANDOUT
More than 5,000 delegates are expected to attend Nyanza Development International Conference to be held in October this year.
Information Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the conference will collectively focus on development of the region as well as the people.
The conference will bring together delegates from the Nyanza region and the country at large, Eastern Africa and the Diaspora, with a view to waking up the Sleeping Giant.
The focus of the conference to be held in October in Kisumu will include blue economy, irrigation, climate change, youth, gender, agriculture, ICT, tourism, sports, culture and the arts, among other areas of interest to the region.
“It is all about giving back to society, through thinking together and working together, under the theme of Waking Up the Sleeping Giant: Developing the Nyanza region,” Owalo said.
The CS spoke on Wednesday in Nairobi when he launched the planning committee for the forthcoming conference whose venue will be communicated soon.
The committee, Owalo said, was composed of 70 distinguished professionals drawn from various disciplines with vast leadership and management experience.
The committee will be chaired by Jalph Olende. Members include Florence Simbiri-Jaoko, Carilus Ademba, Betty Adera, George Ooko, Joan Onyango-Obunga and Dr. Mark Matunga.
Dr. Silpah Owich, Prof Tom Olali, Rachel Omollo, Aguko Juma,Beatrice Otiato, Ken Onditi, Grace Okara, Eng. Stephen Auma, Eunice Nyala, Amos Omollo,Collins Olemo, Mercy Nyabwala, Abel Munda, Duncan Waziri and Ian Okundi, among others will also sit in the committee.
Owalo has been championing for unity in Nyanza and calling residents to support President William Ruto’s government for the development and growth of the region.
He pointed out that the region will not best develop with constant politicking and an unhealthy environment that only derails socio-economic growth.
“We want to transform the lives of our people through developments. This is the main objective of this initiative that targets to drive us forward on matters of development,” Owalo said.
He advised Nyanza residents to work with the government of the day to deliver development in their backyard. He told residents to make the region conducive for development.
“There is no way development can thrive where there is hostility. We should embrace political tolerance, peace and unity with the sole goal of developments which can change the livelihood of our people,” he said.
Owalo said President Ruto means well for the region just like other parts of the country on matters of unity and development growth.
He has been traversing the region for relief food distribution. He visited Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu counties where he distributed food to beneficiaries.
Owalo pledged development goodies which include roads, electricity, water and digital jobs that the government was keen on bringing to Nyanza.
On Sunday, Owalo and Chief Administrative Secretary for Trade Evans Kidero, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency chairman Odoyo Owidi and Kenya Fisheries Marketing Authority chairman Martin Ogindo said development can be undertaken smoothly in the Luo Nyanza counties if they embrace the leadership of President Ruto.
Raila has a wider political support in the Nyanza region compared to Ruto.
Owalo said street protests will not solve any challenge that is faced by the people but worsen the economic situation of the Nyanza region.