Nyamira residents through the umbrella body of the Gusii residents association have sent a plea to President Uhuru Kenyatta to reconsider his earlier move to snub the region during his Gusii visit scheduled for 20th February.
In a press statement by the association’s president Mr Joel Nyambane, he urged Uhuru to visit Nyamira as an independent county which makes up the whole of Gusii region.
Nyambane indicated that Nyamira for a long time has been ‘marginalized’ and sidelined by the central government in matters development and that it was time it needed individual recognition.
“Your Excellency, the vast Gusii region brings together Kisii and Nyamira Counties though the regions remain independent of each other in delivery of government services as outlined in 2010 constitution.
"But Nyamira has remained marginalized in terms of social-economic adventures of the National Government, overshadowed by the much bigger and strategically recognized Kisii brothers. And as such, it's pretty paramount that you consider extending your goodwill tour to the county as a good gesture to future development prospects," he said.
The president has only made two official visits to Nyamira County since he took power in 2013. He was in Nyamira in June 2016 when he commissioned the Chabera - Chepilat road, which has since been completed.
“While we appreciate completion of Chepilat-Chabera, and ongoing construction of Mosobeti-Kebirigo Roads, more is yet to be done in our local transport network, health and agriculture, which solely bolster local economy directly," added Nyambane.
He called on the president to set aside close to 1 billion shillings for improvement and face lifting of the Nyamira county level 5 hospital to a referral status to reduce the congestion witnessed in Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH).
“For instance, your input to expansion of Nyamira County Referral Hospital will curb influx of our people to the neighboring Kisii for treatment. This should also be extended to Keroka District Hospital, another oldest facility in the region. For these two facilities to maximize their operations, they need around Sh1 billion,” read the press statement.
The association has also asked the president to clear debts for coffee farmers which have accrued to 2 billion.
“Above all, the people of Nyamira are solidly behind you and Mr Odinga in the efforts to bring unity for economic prosperity in the country. The county also wholeheartedly backs your efforts to curb graft in government and your commitment towards the realization of Big Four agenda”, he added.
In the development tour to Kisii County, President Kenyatta will commission KTRH accompanied by the AU representative for roads and infrastructure and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Cabinet Secretary for Interior and coordination of National government Dr Fred Matiangi and other political leaders from across the region.
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