Homa bay: The Suba council of elders has petitioned the government to allocate more resources to their sub-counties to spur economic growth. The elders developed a wish list to be presented to President William Ruto, outlining projects they want completed under the initiative dubbed ‘The Suba we want’.
According to Kenya News Agency, the petition was filed through the office of the Homa Bay County Commissioner. The leaders highlighted several development initiatives, including the construction of a stadium, establishment of a constituent college of Tom Mboya University, and the introduction of a public ferry service between Mfangano Island and Gingo on the mainland. They expressed concern over the long-standing marginalization of the Suba region, which has resulted in limited resources for development.
Dr Mark Matunga, a resident of Mfangano, is among the professionals advocating for the establishment of Suba County. He emphasized the need for the region to develop to levels comparable to other parts of the country. Dr Matunga suggested the creation of a new sub-county called Suba East as a precursor to Suba becoming an independent county. He noted that the population in the region exceeds that of Lamu, which already stands as a county.
The elders also proposed the establishment of a fish processing plant and called for the redesign and extension of the Lake Victoria ring road to include some beaches originally excluded from the plan. They argued that improved infrastructure would help integrate the region more fully into the national framework.
Additionally, members of the Abasuba community proposed renaming the Mbita Bridge after Tom Mboya, a notable resident of Rusinga Island. They expressed a desire to meet with President Ruto during his upcoming trip to Homa Bay, emphasizing that the visit should specifically address Suba’s needs.
The petition was presented to Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi during a meeting with the elders. The commissioner highlighted ongoing state-funded projects aimed at fostering regional growth, such as the rehabilitation of lake piers to facilitate water vessel movement. He urged the Suba residents to collaborate with the government to expedite development.
However, during the meeting, it was revealed that the Suba Council of Elders is facing internal divisions, with a splinter group potentially undermining the council’s efforts. The elders expressed concerns that local politicians were exploiting these divisions for personal gain, which could hinder their development agenda.
Mwiwawi stressed the importance of unity among the elders, warning that disunity could prevent a meeting with President Ruto. Dr Matunga called for dialogue and reconciliation to resolve internal differences and urged stakeholders to hold inclusive meetings. He emphasized the need for a unified development agenda to present to both county and national leadership.
Community members like Mr Samuel Oketch echoed calls for unity, expressing concerns over the persistent divisions and the rise of rival factions within the Suba community. Mr Evance Oloo, a youth representative at the council, emphasized the importance of Suba’s representation in Homa Bay County politics, particularly in the context of the 2027 gubernatorial campaigns.
