Two Kisumu MPs ready to receive President Uhuru in his Kisumu maiden visit

Kisumu, Kenya: Two legislators from Kisumu County say they are ready to welcome President Uhuru Kenyatta to the county.

President Uhuru is expected to make his maiden visit to Kisumu County next week, where he is expected to launch the second devolution conference on April 21 at the Kisumu’s Tom Mboya Labour College.

Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, who is the host MP, said the President is welcome in the area.

“We need substantive development projects in Nyanza but we have many challenges. These issues can only be addressed by the President,” Obura said.

He added, “We need roads, youth employment and tackling of insecurity. We are waiting with bated breath that the President will make some statements to solve some of these issues.”

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch welcomed the President and urged local leaders to re-organise their diaries to fit in the President’s schedule.

“We are ready to welcome the President. He will be able to assess the feelings of the locals and their elected leaders. This should be a precursor to his many future visits,” Aluoch said.

Israel Agina, chairman of Kisumu Business Coalition said the business community has been involved in planning the devolution conference and is ready to receive the President.

“We expect some pronouncements from the Head of State. For six months, the construction of roads by the National Government has stalled due to non-payment. The Kisumu-Kakamega and Kisia-Airport roads have stalled. The President should tell us his government will pay so that the roads are complete,” Agina said.

He also mentioned the second phase of modernising Kisumu International Airport, which involves modern warehousing as projects that have stalled.

Over 1, 000 youth are set to benefit from casual jobs as the county prepares for the event.

Speaking to The Standard, Kisumu County Chief of Staff Kennedy Hongo, who chairs Kisumu County Committee, which is preparing the event, said the conference is expected to open up the county for investors and networking given the diversity of the participants.