Uhuru-Raila deals that show relationship goes beyond bromance

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Since the famous March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, the lakeside as seen an upsurge of key governments up to a tune of Kshs 10 billion.

Within the slightly over an year period, projects that had stalled have now gained a new lease of life.

The region that was perceived as having been sidelined by the State is bubbling with activity.

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So far, more than five Cabinet Secretaries have visited Kisumu, all this in a bid to evaluate progress and restart government projects as directed.

During the maiden visit to Kisumu and Siaya, President Kenyatta delivered a bag of goodies to the region starting with the launch of the Ksh.655.9million-Ahero-interchange.

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It will link Kisumu to Homa Bay, Kericho and Kisii counties.

While appealing to his supporters to welcome the Head of State during the December 2018 tour, the ODM leader expressed confidence that his partnership with Mr Kenyatta will bear fruit.

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“We know where we want to go and I can assure you that much more is in the offing as we have embarked on uniting the country and ensure Kenya remains united,” Mr Odinga said then.

He expressed optimism that the ‘handshake’ will take the country to a path of unity as was witnessed in the period shortly after independence.

“I remember as a child that the founding President Jomo Kenyatta used to sleep in our house. We need to go back to the days when the country was united, devoid of tribalism,” he added.

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He said his pact with President Kenyatta is meant to promote unity and ensure that the country ends the cycle of violence after every General Election.

The two leaders showed Kenyans the depth of their friendship when they breached protocol and delayed the President’s flight by over four hours as they toured Kisumu.

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In a surprise decision that caught his security and protocol officers by surprise, President Uhuru changed his mind about boarding his jet at the Kisumu International Airport at the eleventh hour on Saturday evening and instead accompanied Raila in a tour of Kisumu town.

In addition, the rehabilitation of the Kisumu-Kakamega road that had stalled is also ongoing with the Kenya National Highways Authority injecting Ksh.4.5billion into the project.

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Residents of Siaya will also be beneficiaries of this handshake, with the government through partnerships with the African Development Bank, sinking Ksh.2.1billion to provide water even in Bondo.

The project is expected to benefit over 190,000 households.

A similar project to be undertaken in Phase Two, will include Ugunja Sub County as well as Sega and Ukwala in Ugenya at a cost of Ksh.1.6 billion.

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The State has also prioritised eradicating the water hyacinth menace on Lake Victoria.

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But above all, is the Ksh 368 billion SGR Kisumu connection that is set to revolutionize transport in the region and beyond.

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