The Nyanza and Western regions are racing against time to complete legacy project being implemented by second-term governors.
The governors serving out their last term in the region are Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Okoth Obado (Migori), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), James Ongwae (Kisii), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Busia’s Sospeter Ojaamong. In Kakamega, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has allocated a substantial amount of the Sh16.1 billion budget for the 2021/2022 financial year to completion and equipping of phase one of Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The budget estimates signal Mr Oparanya’s intention to deliver on his pledge to improve health facilities in the populous region. His development vote for health services stands at Sh1.3 billion. The Sh6 billion project is one of Governor Oparanya’s legacy projects. In the budget estimates, Sh510,334,369 has been set aside to complete the project.
Delivering on pledges
The county chief, is also keen on improving and equipping level-four hospitals in the county. The second phase of rehabilitation of Bukhungu stadium to an ultra-modern sports facility has been allocated Sh725,484,656. Mumias Level Four Hospital has been allocated Sh10 million while Shiamakubu Level Four Hospital in Kakamega East is expected to take up Sh15 million.
Mr Oparanya’s administration has also allocated Sh1.2 billion for tarmacking and rehabilitation of roads and construction of bridges to improve transport services in the region. The 10km per ward project, another key legacy initiative of the governor, has been allocated Sh300 million.
In Siaya County, Governor Rasanga has a stadium, a park and education programmes as his legacy projects. The stadium project falls under Alego-Usonga constituency, whose National Assembly seat the county boss is said to be eyeing. He also boasts of having streamlined county procurement systems.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae is expected to use the 2021/22 financial year budget to complete multi million-shilling projects that have stalled in the region. Mr Ongwae holds Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital dear to his heart and boasts of its success in offering medical services in the populous county.
The level-six hospital, which has been expanded to a 400-bed facility, serves more than six million people in Kisii and neighbouring counties. In 2013, the county government initiated the construction of a Sh150 million avocado factory on Kisii Agriculture Training Centre’s land, but the project, which was to be funded by donors, has since remained a pipedream. The devolved unit had also promised to upgrade sporting facilities across the county.
The region’s main sports facility, Gusii stadium, is nearly complete. The contractor is putting final touches to the facility. A Sh170 million banana-processing factory whose construction started in 2019 is yet to start operations due to lack of machinery.
