Africa-Press – Kenya. The government will continue to gazette and operationalize new administrative areas in the country to ensure government services are brought closer to the people, Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo has said.
Omollo on Friday noted that some of the existing administrative units are so vast, making it difficult for the national government administrative officers to effectively administer.
The PS noted that over the years, the government has tried to address these challenges.
He pledged that the Kenya Kwanza Government, under President William Ruto will continue to tackle the issue.
“We have gazetted some new administrative units across the country and we will continue to do more as we continue to Operationalize them to address the dire needs with service delivery,” he said.
The PS was speaking at Imbo during which he launched two new divisions at Asego and Asego East in Homa Bay town Constituency.
“We have gazetted two new divisions here in Homa Bay and two more will be done soon,” he said.
“We are operationalizing the ones that have been gazetted and we will also do some more to address the dire need,” he added.
The government provided Sh30 million for the construction of the two offices that will house the area’s assistant deputy County Commissioners.
“We need to commend the area MP Opondo Kaluma and the Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan for having worked tirelessly to deliver the office projects,” he said.
“You can do so much with limited resources if the leadership is committed and focused on serving the people,” Dr Omollo noted.
The Principal Secretary at the same time promised that the national government would continue to support the flood victims across the country by providing food and non-food items.
Raging floods continue to ravage various parts of the country.
In Homa Bay County, the PS said that over 7,000 households had their homes destroyed by the floods
He further disclosed that close to 2, 000 livestock were also affected by the adversity.
Omollo singled out some of the worst-hit areas in the county such as Osodo, Kochia, and Simbi ward in Mbita amongst others.
Reiterating that the security of every Kenyan was paramount, the PS urged the citizens to celebrate Christmas and New Year responsibly, without interfering with the other Kenyans.
“The security of every Kenyan is paramount. However, to serve you better, We want to encourage closer collaboration between the government’s security apparatus and the members of the public,” Omollo noted.
He also decried teenage pregnancies, illicit brews, and substance abuse which he noted were still a challenge in the country, particularly in Homa Bay.
“Teen pregnancies are still a big challenge in Homa Bay county. We must ensure this doesn’t continue to be the case,” he pointed out.
“We must ensure that the lives of our young girls are not ruined by amorous men. Students must be allowed to complete their studies,” he added.
He directed the national government administrative officers to deal firmly with the issue of Illicit brews and substance abuse.
“This is a challenge that we need to combat decisively and collectively as a community,” he said.
Omollo noted that Rangwe Constituency has a notorious brewer adding that It is strange that nothing has ever happened to stop the illegal trade.
“Our chiefs and their assistants, the elders and wananchi can’t be tolerant to such people,” he said.
The PS warned the residents against the illegal trade saying he won’t allow excuse simply because he comes from the county and the locals expect to be accorded special treatment.
He said that the government will build a better and more spacious police station at Rodi.
He enumerated several development projects that the national government under President William Ruto has implemented in the county since he took office in September last year and urged the region to support the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We are doing an ultra-modern market at Rodi in line with the government’s agenda of improving the social economic status of the people,” he said.
The PS observed that the affordable housing project which was launched by the president in Homa Bay town was at 60 percent of implementation.
“Oyugis and Kendu Bay water project is also at 90 percent completion. This means sanitation will be improved and there will be enough water for domestic use,” he added.
Renovation of the Homa Bay pier, according to the PS is also being done to ease pressure on the road transport.
“The roads are also being improved to ensure smooth travel and boost trade for the benefit of our people,” he said.
“We also want to encourage you to plant trees during the rainy season and as you plant the indigenous trees to expand the forest cover, also plant fruit trees to boost food security,” he advised.
He appealed to the leaders from the Nyanza region to focus on how they could improve the economic status of their people.
“Leaders must only be concerned about activities that bring economic development to the people. Our people need jobs and development,” he said.
He asked the electorate to hold the people they elect into office accountable.
Omollo said there’s a bill before the national assembly that seeks to ensure that village elders who provide critical support to the national government administrative officers are given monthly stipends.
Those who were present at the function included Homa Bay town MP Opondo Kaluma, Chairman of Lake Victoria South South Water Works Development Agency, Odoyo Owidi, Kemsa director Hezbon Omollo, Nyanza regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa, Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan amongst others.
Odoyo asked Nyanza residents to Work closely with the government for the sake of development.
He thanked PS Omollo for the decision he made to stick with president William Ruto.
“You stood with the president when even your neighbors were not sure whether to join UDA or not,” he said.
“You have a bright future as a potential Luo leader. I appeal to the local community to support you. ”
He said while it is important to acknowledge that opposition leader Raila Odinga is among the leaders who fight for the expansion of democratic space in the country, he should allow other players to be accommodated in the region.
“Allow those who want to be in ODM or those who wish to crossover to UDA to do so and be able to compete without any intimidation,” he added.
The Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma heaped praise on the PS whom he described as a blessing to the community.
“I want to thank you for having been appointed PS. We also thank you for what you are doing for our people and to the country,” Kaluma said.
He reminded the residents that the PS is not a politician and that he is serving the entire country.
” Let’s always support and welcome him whenever he is here to preside over development projects. We continue to pray for you as you serve the government,” the MP said.
He said the new divisions will make it easier for governance and proper administration of the people.
” It will enhance service delivery. We still request you to help us to have another division which will cover the central ward. Our locations are also stretched and expansive. Split the bigger ones,” Kaluma said.
He suggested that a divisional headquarters be established at Kabunde.
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