ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo says he will continue rolling out tangible developments in Nyanza despite harsh reception in parts of the region.

Owalo said protests occasioned by misunderstandings will not deter him from delivering services to the residents of the Nyanza region.

“I won’t stop bringing developments to the Luo community as that is part of the commitment I made while taking oath,” CS Owalo said adding that Nyanza forms part of the country and the residents equally contribute tax that helps run the government.

The CS spoke on Saturday, June 24, 2023, while meeting inter-denominations at his home in Asembo, Rarieda constituency.

Owallo urged leaders from the region to support government projects, saying it’s time to move on after an intense political season.

“Politics ended with the polls and it shall again resume in 2027 and so we are currently in the period meant for development. Those who have embraced the ruling government and its projects well and good but those with a contrary opinion should soften their stance and work with the government of the day,” Owalo said.

“We shall continue bringing projects funded by the ruling government to areas that seemed to be harsh or not happy with President William Ruto as that is our mandate and we can’t abandon it,” he added.

The CS said the government is committed to reviving stalled projects in the area.

“I was appointed to digitally transform sectors of development to ease ways of doing business and am at it. I will also lure other Cabinet Secretaries to initiate projects in Nyanza that will benefit the region. Issues to do with water, electricity and roads that have stalled in the region will be revived,” he said.

Owalo also affirmed the government’s commitment to boost sugarcane farming in the region ensuring farmers are paid their pending dues.

“In agriculture, we will push for settling of debts owed to sugarcane farmers. We will come up with a policy framework that will ensure we bring in strategic partners that can help pump money in the Sugar factories so that we revitalize them to operate at optimal levels for the benefit of the local community,” the CS said.

The CS said the government is also committed to reviving cotton farming in Nyanza.

“We want to revive, strengthen cotton farming in the region so that it can be another cash crop,” he added.

“In the fishing sector, the first Cabinet meeting approved the establishment of Ksh3 billion Kabongo Fishing Institute in Kano, Kisumu County. This is a strategy put up by the government to revive the fishing industry and our fishermen will gain modern technology and skills that will enhance expeditions at the lake.

“Along all beaches such as Usenge, Wich Lum, Luanda Kotieno, Homa-bay, Kindu, Miuru will have fish processing plants put up by the government so as to process fish at the source and transport it to the airport for exportation,” he added.

Through the government’s ambitious digital agenda, the CS said, the government will ensure fishermen market and sell fish online.

“We shall install free internet to allow fishermen to do business with the outside world. The free wifi at the markets will enable women trade digitally.”

At the same time, Owalo revealed that his ministry has procured 25,000 computers that will boost e-learning in schools.

The aim of the program, he said, is to allow learners to acquire digital skills and ensure they access online jobs.

“The girl’s schools will be prioritized for the Computer programs. White-collar jobs are no more in the country. We only have online jobs that pay much better than white-collar jobs,” he added.

Owalo revealed that his ministry will also digitize school laboratories, adding that the government has already rolled out the programme at the polytechnics and colleges.

“On Friday, we took 300 computers to Mawego Technical Collage, Rongo and Siala TTI where each institution benefitted from 100 computers,” he said.