Western’s progress lies in backing broad-based government

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has urged President William Ruto to give Western a share of government under the broad-based arrangement.

Otuoma said although communities appreciate ongoing development by the Kenya Kwanza regime, they need and want to see and feel more progress.

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He made the comments while launching construction of the 1.8-kilometre Kocholia-Adurukoit Road in Malaba South ward.

He declared support for Ruto’s re-election, saying the broad-based government provides an opportunity for the region to benefit in development, although it has been ignored by past national administrations.

“I am in ODM, and the late Raila Odinga was my leader,” the governor said.

“He left us in the broad-based government and under that arrangement, I ask the President to also give us a share of the national cake.”

"If you give us even nusu mkate, we will have no bone to chew with you. We will add you one more term to make it the mandatory two terms. Then you can call it quits as we look for another leader in 2032,” he said.

The governor cited key national projects in Busia county, including tarmacking the Kocholia-Amukura-Nambale-Butula Road, establishing an Export Processing Zone in Nasewa, dualisation of the Malaba-Bungoma Northern Corridor Highway and water projects on River Malakisi.

“I cannot be mad not to support a person of the President’s stature who is bringing development, we have been waiting for decades to our people,” Otuoma said.

The governor said a visit by Ruto to Busia, which earlier had been planned for Tuesday this week, has been pushed forward due to unavoidable circumstances. A date has not been set.

The governor was accompanied by executives Pamela Owuor (public service management), Peter Odima (Water), Douglas Okiring (Lands and Urban Development), Olakacuna Omuse (Trade), Mohammed Nur (Political and Minority Affairs).

He was also joined by chief officers John Muroki (Roads and Public Works), Mercy Imo (Agriculture) and Elijah Mwaro (Trade). Nominated MCAs Rose Amoit and Concepta Omondi were present.

Otuoma, at the same time, said the county government targets 50,000 farmers to benefit from the maize seed distribution programme this planting season.

“We want to kick hunger out of Busia county,” he said. “In the past, farmers here grew tobacco and other crops. Recently, nyota beans were introduced, and we also want farmers to adopt modern maize seeds.”

He said his government had opened a fertiliser store in Ang’urai to reduce the distance farmers travel to access subsidised fertiliser from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Malaba.

He urged farmers to register with the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (Kiamis) to receive notifications on fertiliser and maize seed distribution.

“Both the national and county governments exist to serve citizens,” he said.

Otuoma urged leaders to focus on services and development rather than divisive politics that could destabilise communities.