Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron has urged President William Ruto to prioritise inclusive development in Nyanza, highlighting education, flooding, small businesses and agriculture as key areas needing government support.
Oron made the appeal in Kisumu on Sunday after attending a church service with the president, who has begun a four-day working tour of Nyanza.
He asked the government to support Kisumu Day High School with funding for an 800-capacity dormitory and a multipurpose hall.
“The head of the institution and the board chair approached me and requested that you consider them for a modern dormitory of 800 capacity alongside a multipurpose hall,” he said.
The MP also called for financial support for hawkers, many of whom are women, saying access to capital would help improve their livelihoods.
“We have a big community of those who are struggling and they are hawkers. Majority of them are women. Kindly support them so that they can have capital,” he said.
Flooding was another major concern raised by Oron. He said six sub-counties were regularly affected and called for urgent measures in areas including Kano, Muhoroni, Nyakach and Kisumu Central.
“Floods is almost the norm of this county these days,” he said, while calling for action as residents await the long-term solution expected from the Koru-Soin dam project.
Oron also asked the president to address challenges facing the Jua Kali sector, which he described as a key part of Kisumu’s economy.
He specifically raised concerns over access to land for informal-sector businesses.
Agriculture was also highlighted, with the MP saying rice farmers in Kano and Nyakach were not benefiting fully from the sector’s potential.
“The farmers are not reaping the benefits. It’s a discussion that we need to have,” he said.
The issues raised by Oron are expected to form part of wider demands from Nyanza leaders as Mr Ruto visits Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties during his tour.
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