Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

RESIDENTS of Luo-Nyanza are overwhelmed with joy and highly appreciate the government initiative and efforts being put in the construction of ultra modern road network across the region.

The construction work on several important road links are currently taking places in various parts of Nyanza Province and are considered by the residents as significant steps for the development of the region, which for many years was marginalized by successive KANU regimes of the past.

Roads currently under the construction include the 25 kilometer Kendu-Bay-Homa-Bay road whose construction is already in advance stage and is expected to be opened before the end the year.

Another important road, which is currently under construction, is the 40 kilometer Homa-Bay Mbita road. The construction work is progressing well. This particular road is so important because it will link the rest of Kenya with the Ruma National Game Park,which is located at Lambwe Valley.

The road has some significance economically, because it will facilitate the easy transportation of fish from Mbita Point to the marketplaces on the mainland, and the one headed for processing in the various pants located in Kisumu, Homa-Bay and Nairobi, which are meant for export to the overseas markets.

Mbita Point is the largest fish landing beach in the region, where fresh fish from the smaller fishing islands scattered in Lake Victoria lands for eventual destination to market places in the main land. Other major fish landing beaches include Uhanya Beach in Bondo, Muhuru-Bay in Nyatike, Karungu-Bay in Nyatike, Nyandiwa and Kisegi in Gwassi, Misori and Luanda Kotieno in Rarieda and Usenge in Bondo.

Lack of fish preservation cold store is the other nightmare because fish is a perishable commodity, which must be transported outside to its market place as quickly as possible soon after it is land. Cold storage facilities are rare and could only be fond in Mbita Town.

The Homa-Bay -Mbita road will also open up the interior part of the Suba region, particularly the sceneries and pre-historic sites on the two islands of Rusinga and Mfangano, Gwassi Hills and Gembe areas.

The major repair work on the Katito-Kendu-Bay road was completed early last year. It now will give the motorist a quick drive between Nyakach and Karachuonyo and eventually to Homa-Bay.

There is however, the need to have the Oyugis –Kendu-Bay tarmacked in order to crown the region with a better road communication network.

Another road which needs to be constructed is the Muhuru-Bay Migori Town road. And the Oyugis-Rangwe road that could wind up at Rodi Kopany would be to the advantage of trade between Karungu-Bay and hinterland.

In Kisumu County all the access and feeder roads traversing the Nyando sugar belt are in pathetic conditions despite of the excess money being levied on sugar cane farmers by the Nyando County Council. It now takes a motorist to drive from Muhoroni Town via Chemelil Road close to three hours before reaching Kisumu due to the pathetic state f the road that runs through Miwani and Kibos cane growing zones.

Both Kisumu and Siaya Counties stand to benefit in getting major repair on Kisumu-Bondo-Usenge road, But the latest sensation, but significant development is the construction of the Ndori-Luanda Kotieno road, which now cut the travelling hours between Kisumu and Luanda Kotieno ferry by half. What remains to be done is the for the local entrepreneurs to construct good and tourist class hotels in strategic stop-over like Luanda Kotieno, Ndori and on both aside of the mainland and Rusinga Island at Mbita Point.

Motorists using the big four-wheel drives fuel guzzling vehicle could drive from Kisumu to Luanda –Kotieno in less than 50 minutes and catch up with the Mbita Ferry for another von voyage trip involving the crossing of the Nyanza Gulf from Rrieda to Mbita district. It traverses through the length of Uyoma peninsula, an area which has a lot in store for the tourists.

Plans are under the way for the planned construction of the Misori-Bondo-Siaya-Rang’ala road, which will be linked to the main Kisumu Busia Highway.

On realization of how important these road network for economic development of the region, local politicians have heaped a lot of praise to the coalition government and its principals. One such politician is Dr. Mark Matunga, an executive with Microsoft International who has declared his interest in the Homa-Bay County governor.

Matunga while thanking the Ministry of Roads urged the government to locate funds for the construction of Oyugis Rangwe – Rodi-Kopany road and also for the Oyugis-Kendu Bay road, adding that these two road links are so important for the Homa-Bay County because they are the best outlet for trades with the outside world.

Motorists using Kisumu Siaya road via Maseno and Luanda have also suggested that the repair work for the section of the road need to be carried out now. It is long over due.

Last year the Prime Minister Raila Odinga commissioned the short-but significantly important Ndori-Nyang’oma road, which will link visitors and tourists to the rural home of the Obama family in Alego Kogelo. The construction of the Obama cultural Center has commenced. The Center is being established in honor of the US President Barrack Obama who has the family root in the area.

There has been a big influx of visitors to the previously sleepy and dust village marker ever since the election of President Obama as the head of state in the US. Many visitors come there with the purpose of getting more information about President Obama ancestry and originality. Some of the development taking place in Siaya and its environs are likely to have a milestone changes in the pattern of development activities in the region, which also requires good roads communications.

The volume of trade in the region is also expected to be in the upward trend as the result of the improved road network. In the interior part of the region, the government revolving funds such as CDF and Road Maintenance funds are taking care of the feeder and access roads within the rural locations.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com