Several political leaders from Western Kenya have termed as inconsequential and a PR exercise the planned President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to the region.
A senior political leader who sought anonymity said the visit is not worth it because Uhuru has done little for the region since he became President.
He said the President has sidelined the region for the las 10 years and is trying to “save face before he exits state House”
Uhuru is expected to revive the ailing sugar factories including Nzoia and Mumias.
Several stalled road projects are also expected to be relaunched by the President.
They include the 45-kilometer Lurambi-Navakholo, Musikoma road being upgraded at a cost of shs 2 billion.
The other one is the Ibokolo-Shianda , Navakhalo , Malava road being rehabilitated at shs 1.7 billion.
They link, Kakamega, Bungoma Busia and Siaya Counties.
The other stalled road runs from Matunda Market, Brigadier upto Naitiri.
The contractor has tarmacked several patches and skipped sections which have rivers and streams.
Residents of Tongaren are angry that that the National Government has been reluctant o tarmac the road that is the only main tarmac cutting through the constituency.
The roads have been relaunched in the past and the leaders are wondering if the President visit will translate into “completion”
“The president is coming to launch the upgrading of Matulo airstrip in Webuye. What we know is that a tarmac road not more than a kilometer in the name of a runway will be constructed. That’s a project that is better left to KAA to do,” said the MP who requested anonymity.
Sources say the President will issue shs 500 million to struggling Nzoia Sugar Company, yet it has a debt of shs 5 billion.
“500 million can’t revive Nzoia Sugar. That will simply be PR,” Said Moses Milimo from Bukembe village.
However, its not clear if the Head of State will intervene to have the shs 5 billion debt owed by Mumias Sugar cleared.
The Head of State is also expected to launch the shs 100 million Kakamenga Gold refinery in Ikolomani Constituency.
Other goodies are shs 6 billion upgrade of Kakamega County referral Hospital.
Uhuru will commission construction of Chwele Open Air Market, Kanduyi Stadium, award a charter to Kaimosi University College and Inspect the vihiga Water Cluster Project.