President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to visit the lakeside City of Kisumu on December 13th. Being a good host, Kisumu County Government has already put up the necessary plans to help it welcome the President like a boss.
This will be Uhuru’s first visit to the region since the now famous March 9th Handshake between him and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga, a man considered to be the Nyanza Political Kingpin. Odinga is regarded by many Kisumu residents as their voice.
Raila Odinga has also joined in the preparations. The ODM Chief today met with Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o ahead of a consultative meeting with ODM Party officials on matters relating to the upcoming Universal Healthcare Coverage launch in Kisumu by President Kenyatta.
Uhuru will be in Kisumu to launch the piloting of Universal Healthcare Coverage, part of his Big Four Agenda.
The government will spend Sh3.9 billion to pilot the programme in Kisumu, Nyeri, Isiolo and Machakos counties.
The projects will establish the capacity of NHIF and improve infrastructure before the programme is rolled out countrywide.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the county is well prepared to host the President.
Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo called on President Kenyatta to revive collapsed sugar industries, saying the livelihood of millions of Kenyans depends on the sector.
He said Uhuru should also launch the construction of Muhoroni-Mamboleo C674 road, formerly the C34, which is a key road to Kisumu, Nandi and neighbouring counties. Other leaders welcoming Uhuru include Nyando MP Jared Okello, Kisumu Central MP Fred Outa and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga
They said the region will benefit from projects through Uhuru’s visit. “We expect most stalled projects such as Kicomi, sugar and fishing industry, and maritime transport to be given priority by Uhuru,” Okello said.
The MP also said they will request construction of the Mamboleo-Londiani, Awasi-Katito and Singida bridge-Ahero roads. He said the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital should be upgraded to the level of Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Referral Hospital.
The region expects to benefit from completion of the 254km standard gauge railway between Naivasha and Kisumu. The section is projected to cost Sh380 billion.The proposed phase 2B will pass through Narok, Bomet, Kericho and in Kisumu, where a Sh14.3 billion port will be put up, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Politics is expected to take center stage with a section Luo Nyanza leaders calling for Uhuru to endorse Raila Odinga for the Presidency come 2022. Over the weekend, Siaya Senator James Orengo hinted that Uhuru will end up endorsing Raila come 2022.
It remains to be seen if Uhuru will dance to the Leaders’ tune and politick during his visit.
What should Uhuru do to the great people of Kisumu during his Visit?