Nairobi: The Kenya Kwanza government is accelerating efforts to finalize various projects nationwide, aiming to deliver substantial benefits to local communities. These initiatives encompass road construction, affordable housing programs (AHP), enhanced social protection (ESP) markets, water supply, and last-mile power connections.
According to Kenya News Agency, in Migori County, the National Government is prioritizing the completion of crucial roads and, notably, the affordable housing project at Mabera market in Kuria West Sub-County. This project, with a budget of Sh187,158,911.56, is a 60-unit block currently 95 percent complete. A progress report from the Nyanza Region's office of the President's project delivery unit (PDU) indicated that the project was initially slated for completion by September 6, 2024. The report, shared by Nyanza PDU director Mr. Melkizedeck Onguso, also mandates heads of ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs) to list stalled, ongoing, completed, and intervention-needed projects.
The Mabera AHP project, which began on October 6, 2023, has experienced a seven-month delay. Beyond Mabera, plans for similar housing developments in Rongo and Kehancha aim to provide 514 affordable units in Migori County alone, with tenders already awarded. This initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, seeks to conclude within three years.
The region is witnessing transformative projects under the Kenya Kwanza regime's bottom-up economic transformation agenda (BETA), such as ESP markets in Sibuoche, Oria, Ranen, Ntimaru, Nyabohanse, and Riosir, which are progressing at varying completion rates. Local residents, like John Ologi from Rongo Constituency, express satisfaction with the government's initiatives but urge quicker project completion. Joyce Okello from Uriri appreciates the widespread impact on her community, particularly in education, where technical and vocational education and training colleges (TVETs) receive significant government support.
For instance, Sh86,848,072 is allocated for constructing Siala Technical Training Institute's hospitality block, with completion expected by October 26, 2024. This project, co-funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AFDB), includes Sh6,349,870 for an LPG kit and associated facilities. Similar efforts are underway at Oyani TVET in Uriri and Kakrao College.
In the water sector, the government is committed to completing the Sh1.5 billion Kegonga cluster water and sanitation project in Kuria East Constituency, revitalized by Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omolo's visit last December. Additionally, solar-powered high-mast floodlights are under construction in Suna West and Awendo constituencies.
Road infrastructure projects, including the Stella-Sibuoche-Gogo, Mapera-Rabuor, and Kanyawanga Dede roads, are also progressing. Health facilities, like the Piny Owacho Level 3 Hospital, launched by President Dr. William Ruto on October 8, 2023, are part of the government's comprehensive development plan.
Migori County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua confirms a strong commitment to completing all projects, including those stalled for years. A letter, based on Executive Order No.2 of 2023 and revised guidelines from April 16, 2024, demands status reports on all projects to expedite their completion. The directive, issued in March 2025, aims to ensure swift progress in ongoing initiatives.