Chaos, dust and development: Homa Bay’s battle to shake off decades of marginalisation

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga asserts that the county's dusty, potholed roads are a symbol of historical marginalisation rather than a source of shame. She says these road conditions are a reflection of decades of neglect and a testament to the resilience of the people. Wanga emphasises that these infrastructure deficiencies are a historical problem inherited by successive governments, and not a result of recent mismanagement.

The challenge of the 74-kilometre Mbita road is cited as an example, highlighting the difficulties in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects due to funding constraints. Despite these challenges, Wanga highlights the progress made through devolution, which has given Homa Bay greater control over local priorities and resources.

She cites numerous ongoing and completed projects, such as the Mbita–Sindo–Kiabuya–Sori corridor and roads in Suba South, as evidence of increased investment in the county. Wanga urges residents to resist attempts to use the county's development challenges as a source of humiliation, asserting that their resilience should be celebrated as a badge of honour.

The governor also acknowledges the region's political history, noting that leaders like Tom Mboya and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga have been pivotal in shaping Nyanza's development trajectory, and that the region's future is brighter than the current dust-covered roads.