Busia on the Rise: Otuoma Unlocks Government Funding for Progress

By Felix Agunda, In Busia

Residents of Busia County, who have long lived in the shadows of their more developed counterparts in Kakamega and Bungoma, and have faced historical development injustices as the junior siblings in the former Western Province (whose headquarters was initially in Kakamega), can now breathe a sigh of relief with the advent of devolved governments.

Although the first ten years of devolution in Busia were marked by mismanagement, hindering the county’s development compared to others that flourished during the same period, Busia seems to be waking from its slumber.

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The current Governor, Dr. Paul Otuoma, who succeeded Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, has pledged to ensure that Busia County receives its fair share of national resources. “I will ensure that Busia County gets its equal share of the national cake. We are not children of a lesser god,” he said during one of his public engagements.

The governor also highlighted that Busia has long suffered from historical development injustices since independence, injustices he is determined to have the national government address. In what appears to be a response to his calls, the national government, under President William Ruto, has lined up several major development projects for Busia. These plans follow a high-profile delegation led by the governor, which included Busia Members of Parliament, MCAs, and prominent county figures such as former long-serving Attorney General Amos Wako, who visited State House.

Projects set to run in the current financial year include the upgrading of the Butula-Nambale-Amukura-Kocholia road to bitumen standards, as well as the rerouting of the Matayos-Nangina-Sio Port-Mumbaka road via Bumbe-Sisenye-Budubusi, which will connect to Port Victoria.

Additionally, the construction of a KSh 700 million ultra-modern stadium in Busia town, slated for completion in March, is one of the highlighted projects for this financial year. Other projects the President will launch later this year, around September and October, include the upgrading of the Rwambua-Mau Mau road and the Matayos-Nasewa-Nambale road.

The construction of 2,000 affordable housing units in Nasewa, Busia, and Malaba towns, as well as a KSh 1 billion Jumuiya Border Market and the expansion of the Bunyala irrigation scheme to 10,000 acres, are also among the key developments.

This ongoing development has been warmly welcomed by the residents of Busia, who believe that once completed, these projects will significantly improve the county’s image, which has often been tarnished by neglect.

“To be honest, we can now see some order and progress in Busia town,” said George Wabwire, a boda boda rider in Busia town. “I hope the governor will continue pushing for the completion of all these projects,” he added.

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