What residents expect from President’s three-day visit
By Viola Kosome, June 1, 2021
Kisumu residents have largely welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s three-day visit to the region.
Residents who spoke to People Daily yesterday exuded confidence that the visit would open up the region for greater economic development given the number of projects the President is set to launch during his stay.
According to Michael Ochieng, a teacher, the Head of State’s visit will greatly boost the region’s economy after years of neglect.
“In the past, Nyanza region was neglected in terms of developments by successive governments, but now a lot of development is being witnessed not only in Kisumu but the entire Nyanza region,” he stated.
Eva Ooro, a businesswoman, lauded the President for the numerous projects, which are currently ongoing in the region.
“We really love the Head of State and appreciate him for visiting our region. We are grateful for the projects the Jubilee administration is implementing across Nyanza,” she said.
Mary Ogada, a farmer in Siaya County on the other hand lauded Opposition leader Raila Odinga for calming down the political temperatures by accepting the Handshake with the President in 2018.
“The coming of the President to Sakwa, Bondo on Sunday brought us joy and gave us a lot of hope. At least, that was a sign that power has come home,” she said.
Pascal Odhiambo, a boda boda rider, appealed to the President to reduce fuel prices in his today’s speech.
Spiralling cost
“Let him consider bringing down the spiraling cost of fuel in the country ,which is really hurting the common man. I am really looking forward to such announcement during his Madaraka Day speech,” he said. President Uhuru landed in Kisumu on Sunday afternoon and commissioned several projects in the neighbouring Siaya before returning to the Kisumu State Lodge later in he evening.
Thousands of jubilant wananchi turned up at the Wagai trading center to welcome the Head of State, who was in the area to launch the Wagai-Akala road.
He later launched the Sh.2.4 billion Bondi water project.
When he motioned to leave, tens of residents demanded to be addressed and could be heard shouting ‘Handshake’ in apparent reference to the move by the two leaders to bury their political hatchet.
The President and Raila addressed the residents and lauded the Handshake brought peace that translated into development.