Homa Bay County is not a filthy cattle pen, defensive Awiti says

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti has spoken out in response to criticism that the devolved unit resembles a cattle pen.

A cattle pen is distinguished by filth. It consists of cow dung, mud, odour, and ticks that attack both humans and livestock. During the rainy season, cattle pens are not pleasant in villages.

Some politicians who contested the Homa Bay governor seat before and after the ODM party primaries contended that Homa Bay resembled a cattle pen. According to ODM National Chairman John Mbadi and Homa Bay governor candidate Evans Kidero, the county is in a poor state in terms of development.

When Mbadi was still vying for the Homa Bay governor seat before stepping down for Gladys Wanga, the ODM candidate, he said Awiti's administration's bad governance had led to underdevelopment.

He said Homa Bay resembles a cattle pen due to poor roads, chronic water shortages, and inadequate healthcare.

They cited the health sector, where residents get poor services.

Residents of the county continue to complain that they are forced to buy medicine and even gloves at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital, the county's largest health facility. Awiti has remained silent on the issue since campaigns began late last year.

However, the retiring governor has now broken his silence. Awiti warned his critics to stop tarnishing his reputation.
He said it was incorrect for politicians to say Homa Bay is in a bad state comparable to a cattle pen. Awiti said politicians have been spreading lies about his administration.

"Those who say Homa Bay resembles a cattle pen are lying. Positive projects have been implemented in Homa Bay County, but they are not publicised. I'm not sure what they're up to," Awiti said. The governor argued that some people in the county want him to work in their homes so that they know he is working.

"Some people want me to go to their houses and work as their farmhand so they know I'm working. But I can't because my job is to serve the people," Awiti said.

The governor made the remarks in his office, where he also distributed Sh73.8 million to more than 18,000 farmers in the county.

The money came from the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP). The World Bank is funding the programme through the national government in collaboration with the Homa Bay County government to assist farmers in increasing their production scale. Awiti used to complain that some people wanted him to go milk cows in their homes in order to recognise his services. "Do you want me to milk cows at your house so you know I'm working?"

Awiti warned critics that those who refer to Homa Bay as a cattle pen have no reason to be in the county in what could have been his final words as governor.

"To refer to Homa Bay as a cattle pen implies that there is nothing good about it, which is untrue. Why come to Homa Bay if it resembles a cattle pen?" said the governor well-known for making amusing remarks in his speeches.