Homa Bay County in Sh47b plan to spur growth

By JAMES OMORO

KENYA: Homa Bay County government has launched a Sh47 billion Integrated Development Plan to spur economic growth.

The five-year plan is expected to help the county co-ordinate development projects and avoid duplication in implementing programmes.

Speaking at Ndiru trading centre in Rangwe constituency, Governor Cyprian Awiti said his county could not achieve the desired economic prosperity in the absence of proper guidelines on project implementation.

“There are a number of development programmes which we intend to carry out in this county but today we are marking the beginning of their implementation through this Integrated Development Plan,” Awiti said.

The governor said his county had high prevalence of HIV and worrying maternal and infant mortality rates and their eradication needed concerted efforts. He appealed to development partners to intervene and help the county avert the health challenges.

Awiti expressed worry that health challenges would deter the desired economic growth.

“The gravity of health indicators in this county has increased and the HIV prevalence rate is at 27.1 per cent compared to the national one which is 6.3. We have one of the highest child mortality rates which is 14.9 per cent hence there is need for sensitisation and intervention of development partners,” he noted.

Wednesday’s launch came just a week after the county government launched a Sh500 billion development project known as the Agricity in Karachuonyo constituency.

Attracting investors

Homa Bay deputy Governor Hamilton Orata told residents to have faith in the new plan as it would attract investors.

“Potential investors look at a government’s plans in relation to what they are expected to undertake,” Orata said.

Rangwe MP George Oner expressed optimism that the plan would also address food shortages. “It is my expectation that the plan will help combat youth unemployment,” he said.