Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has expressed confidence in the county’s development progress during the State of the County address, outlining both milestones achieved and the realities ahead.
Wanga pointed to steady gains in local revenue collection, noting improved systems and compliance that have strengthened the county’s financial base.
On infrastructure, the governor cited expanded road networks and ongoing development projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic activity across Homa Bay County.
In agriculture, she emphasized support programs for farmers, including access to inputs and training, while the health sector saw enhancements through upgraded facilities and expanded services.
Youth empowerment also featured prominently, with initiatives designed to create employment opportunities and build skills among young people.
Despite the progress, Wanga acknowledged the financial constraints facing the county, stressing the need for prudent resource management and innovative solutions to sustain development.
The address reviewed the county’s performance during the 2024/2025 financial year and the progress made under the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027.
Wanga reported significant growth in the county’s own-source revenue. Collections increased from Sh 1.20 billion to Sh 1.729 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, exceeding the target of Sh 1.432 billion.
She credited this growth to automating all 25 county revenue streams with a digital system and introducing cashless payments in October 2022.
“We have improved fiscal discipline and revenue collection while ensuring public resources support development priorities,” Wanga told the Assembly members.
She mentioned that accountability systems have been strengthened with the establishment of a six-member County Audit Committee to oversee financial management.
However, she acknowledged that the county still faces financial issues, such as delayed funds from the national government and reduced conditional grants.
Wanga noted that the county received Sh 1.24 billion out of the expected Sh 2.48 billion in conditional grants this financial year.
She added that pending bills continue to be a problem, though the county has cut them down from over Sh 2.5 billion in the 2023/24 financial year to about Sh 1.004 billion as of January 2026.
“These financial constraints impact the implementation of development programs, but we are working to restore fiscal stability,” she said.
In infrastructure development, the governor mentioned that the county has expanded its road network to improve access to markets, schools, and health facilities.
Over the past three years, the county opened 736 kilometers of new roads and maintained 538 kilometers of existing ones. In the 2024/25 financial year alone, 280 kilometers of roads were opened across the county’s 40 wards.
A key project is the Kongo Bridge in North Kabuoch Ward, which connects parts of Homa Bay to neighboring Migori County. The county also built box culverts and repaired access roads to improve transportation in flood-prone areas.
Education was another major focus of Wanga’s address. She stated that the county government invested in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) through the “Ondoa Kaunda” initiative, which replaces old, overcrowded classrooms with modern ones.
The first phase of the program saw the construction of 243 ECDE classrooms using labor-based methods, which created jobs for local contractors. A second phase targeting 361 additional classrooms is currently underway.
The county disbursed Sh 216 million in bursaries and scholarships during the 2024/25 financial year, benefitting nearly 30,000 students.
Additionally, the county partnered with financial institutions to support vocational training through the Fundi Mang’ula program, which helped 1,200 youths.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the county’s economy, employing over 70 percent of residents.
Wanga reported that the county distributed 136 metric tonnes of certified maize and sorghum seeds to more than 34,000 households through a subsidized seed program across all wards.
This initiative produced about 90,000 bags of maize valued at Sh 270 million, along with sorghum harvests worth Sh 130.6 million.
The county has also revived cotton farming by distributing improved seed varieties, allowing cultivation on over 15,000 acres and producing 365 metric tonnes of cotton valued at Sh 26.3 million. Plans are in place to establish a cotton ginnery to promote value addition.
In water and sanitation, the county rehabilitated five major rural water schemes and implemented 121 community water projects. Together with 52 new water points, these initiatives are expected to improve access to clean water for residents.
Energy access has improved with the installation of 200 solar lights in 80 markets, enhancing security and enabling traders to work longer hours.
In the health sector, Wanga announced the recruitment of 79 health workers and the promotion of 583 others to enhance service delivery across county health facilities.
The county also installed modern diagnostic equipment at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, including dialysis machines and laparoscopic surgery tools.
Wanga highlighted a major milestone in maternal health, stating that the county recorded over five consecutive months without a maternal death due to a new maternal surveillance program.
To address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, the county began constructing a specialized cancer center at the referral hospital to improve screening and treatment.
The governor also discussed youth empowerment programs. The county allocated Sh 40 million to boda boda cooperatives, with each ward receiving Sh 1 million.
This initiative has supported over 4,000 motorcycle taxi operators. Youth engagement has been further strengthened through sports programs like the GENOWA Governor’s Cup football tournament, which involves more than 10,000 young people.
In trade and industrial development, Wanga reported that construction of the Riwa Special Economic Zone and County Aggregation and Industrial Park is 52 percent complete.
This project is expected to boost agro-processing and manufacturing in the county.
The county also registered 127 new cooperatives and revived 10 dormant ones in the past three years, increasing membership to over 40,000.
Wanga emphasized the need for public involvement in governance, noting that residents from all 40 wards participated in development planning.
She stated that more than 80 percent of citizen proposals were included in the 2025/2026 county budget.
The county has also introduced a digital participation and disaster alert system that has reached more than 150,000 residents through SMS and USSD platforms.
“The state of Homa Bay County shows real transformation. Youth are engaged, farms are producing, markets are growing, and water is reaching homes,” Wanga said.
She added that the county government will continue to focus on building strong institutions, expanding economic opportunities, and improving service delivery.
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