Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has defended herself against allegations that she was taking credit for national government projects.
Wanga said she was working closely with the national government to complement county government resources needed to deliver services to the people of Homa Bay.
She said that the source of funds for development projects was immaterial so long as the objectives of service delivery were met.
“My administration will leverage all available resources to deliver services to residents, regardless of who funds them,” she said.
The governor said her job is to ensure her people get roads, water, hospitals, markets, quality education, and other services.
She said working with the national government is one of the best ways of developing the region.
Wanga has been facing criticism from political rivals, who accuse her of riding on national government projects for political mileage.
Some of the projects funded by the national government include affordable housing programmes, diverse rural and urban road projects, rehabilitation of Homa Bay Pier, and refurbishment of Raila Odinga Stadium, amongst other projects.
The governor noted that counties must partner with the national government to bridge funding gaps, especially on infrastructure.
She described herself as a go-getter who knows how to knock on the right doors and get what is good for the people.
She added that the numerous development trips that President William Ruto had made to Homa Bay were because of her influence.
“Any time the President visits Homa Bay, we lobby his administration for diverse development projects,” the Governor said.
She added that before she was elected, local leaders hardly lobbied for projects from the national government, and the county was ranked at the bottom in terms of development.
She defended her administration, saying she had achieved a lot within the three and a half years she has been in office.
One of her greatest achievements is the “Ondoa Kaunda” initiative in which modern classrooms have replaced makeshift mabati structures in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers.
According to the county government, the previous administration built 23 classrooms in 10 years compared to the current 604 constructed in three years.
“Each of the 40 wards has more than 10 classrooms. We will build more classrooms and replace all makeshift mabati structures to improve education standards,” Wanga said.
She spoke over the weekend when she opened two ECDE classrooms at Rakoro and Osure comprehensive schools in Kanyamwa Kosewe Ward in Ndhiwa Sub County.
Wanga said her government is supporting the education of at least 10 needy learners from every ward under a full scholarship programme called Fins to Swim.
“We support the learner in getting all material needed in academics. This is on top of paying their full school fees in secondary and university,” the governor said.
The first batch of beneficiaries are set to sit their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams this year.
By Davis Langat
