The Suba council of elders has petitioned the government to allocate more resources to their sub-counties to spur economic growth.
The elders came up with a wish list to be presented to President William Ruto on projects they want done under what they summed up as “The Suba we want”.
In a petition filed through the office of the Homa Bay County Commissioner, the leaders listed a number of development initiatives, including the building of a stadium, the establishment of a constituent college of Tom Mboya University and a public ferry that operates between Mfangano Island and Gingo on the mainland.
They said for a long time, the Suba region had remained marginalised, with few resources allocated for development.
The elders said they require their own county to ensure more resources are set aside for them.
Dr Mark Matunga, a resident of Mfangano and one of the professionals pushing for the establishment of Suba County, said the region needs to develop to the envisaged Singapore levels like other parts of the country.
He said there is a need to create a new sub-county called Suba East before eventually Suba becomes a county on its own.
He argued that the population in the region is more than that of Lamu, yet the coastal county stands as a unit.
“Truth be told, Suba is bigger than Lamu. So, when we ask for Suba County, we are not asking for something far-fetched. It can be achieved,” Dr Matunga said.
Elders in the region announced that communal land is ready to host the county headquarters at Gindo.
The petition from members of Abasuba also contained the need to establish a fish processing plant.
Dr Matunga said the Lake Victoria ring road should be redesigned and extended to some beaches in the region which were originally not in the plan.
“Having the road along the lake will open up the lake. We have never seen a tarmac road. We want to be part of Kenya,” he said.
Members of Abasuba also want Mbita Bridge to be renamed after Tom Mboya, who was a resident of Rusinga Island.
“Elders would like to have a meeting with the president. His upcoming trip to Homa Bay should specifically focus on Suba,” Mr Matunga said.
The petition was presented to Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi during a meeting with elders.
The administrator highlighted some of the ongoing projects funded by the state to ensure the region grows.
It includes rehabilitation of piers in the lake to ease movement of water vessels.
The administrator called on residents of Suba to work closely with the government to speed up development.
“The president has got good ideas for Suba. We need to show him that we are united and speak in one voice,” Mwiwawi said.
During the meeting, it emerged that members of the Suba Council of elders are divided, with a splinter group threatening to derail the team.
Elders lamented that some politicians from the region were fuelling divisions for selfish interests.
The community leaders requested a meeting with President Ruto.
Mwiwawi said it will be difficult for the meeting to take place if elders cannot speak in one voice.
“If the situation of disunity prevails, then the president will not come. Divisions do not augur well for development.” The administrator warned.
Dr Matunga called for dialogue and reconciliation, urging stakeholders to convene inclusive meetings to resolve their differences.
He emphasised the need for elders to bridge divisions and help the community present a unified development agenda to both county and national leadership.
Mr Samuel Oketch, a resident, echoed the call for unity, expressing concern over long-standing divisions and the emergence of rival factions within the Suba community.
Mr Evance Oloo, a youth representative at the council, said the region should be represented in Homa Bay County politics.
He said Suba should be considered when 2027 gubernatorial campaigns are being discussed.
By Davis Langat
