Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has urged residents of Western region working in various towns in Kenya to return home and participate in the 2019 census in September.
He was speaking while addressing the congregation during a funds drive in aid of the completion of St Monica Mungeti Catholic Church in Kanduyi Constituency Bungoma County.
He said the results of the census will determine the share of national resources among counties in the region.
“Participating in the census elsewhere will deny your county of birth the much needed share of the funds which is based on the population growth,” he said.
He said those who will not be counted at home will not benefit from bursaries among other benefits.
The Governor challenged the Luhya community for not taking advantage of its numerical advantage saying they are only rivaled by the Kikuyu to ascend to the top seat in the land.
He said members of the community either do not turn up in large numbers to vote during elections or they never vote as a block for candidates from their community.
On the impending long rains, the Governor urged residents to start preparing their farms ready for planting when the rains start.
Ojaamong said Bungoma and Busia Counties have the potential to feed other regions if farmers make use of the fertile land and increase food production.
He helped raise Sh1.8m with his pledge of 240 iron sheets for roofing the church.
Church faithful are still praying under trees.