Millie Odhiambo defers with Wanga over state of Homa Bay roads – ‘Let us stop cheating people’

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has disputed assertions that alternative routes used in Homa Bay are merely feeder roads, arguing that many of them are main roads in poor condition. On August 16, 2026, Odhiambo posted on her Facebook page that residents of Suba North and Suba South continue to suffer from poor road conditions and urged leaders and the public to address the issue rather than downplay it.

"Most of our roads are bad in Suba South and North. Let us stop cheating people by saying those are feeder roads and that the main roads were barricaded," she said.

Odhiambo pointed out that the road situation in Homa Bay should not be attributed solely to the classification of the routes as feeder roads. "What you see, [other than Homabay to Mbita and Rusinga Ring Road] are the main roads," she emphasized. She highlighted several major road projects in the Suba region, acknowledging that some have received funding from previous governments.

For instance, former President Mwai Kibaki oversaw the tarmacking of the Homa Bay-Mbita road, while former Prime Minister Raila Odinga constructed the Mbita Bridge. Odhiambo also credited President William Ruto's administration for ongoing road projects, including the tarmacking of the Rusinga Ring Road and the opening of the Mfangano Ring Road.

The Rusinga Island Ring Road, a 19-kilometre project costing Ksh1.3 billion, was commissioned by President Ruto in March 2026 to enhance transport and support tourism, fishing, and other economic activities on the island. Odhiambo stated that the government has also earmarked other roads for construction, including the Sindo-Mbito Road. She noted that Treasury Secretary John Mbadi recently launched two roads in her constituency, with one already in use by motorists.

The MP cautioned that downplaying the poor road conditions by labeling them as feeder roads could undermine efforts to prioritize their improvement. "We have been marginalized for years. Sugar-coating it by calling the bad roads feeder roads will stop the government from prioritizing these roads," she cautioned. Odhiambo's comments follow the government's increased investment in road projects in Homa Bay and other parts of Nyanza.

Homa Bay County has received Ksh17 billion for 298 kilometers of major road projects, with an additional Ksh5.6 billion planned for 78 kilometers, including the Mfangano Island Ring Road and other routes. The government also plans to accelerate the Lake Victoria Ring Road, a proposed 500-kilometre route connecting Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori, with construction set to begin before the end of 2026.