In a recent visit to flood-affected families in Nyando, Kisumu County, Azimio leader Raila Odinga voiced strong criticism against President William Ruto’s administration, particularly targeting the proposed Finance Bill 2023. Odinga, rallying his political allies, vowed to reject the Bill in Parliament, citing its intention to expand taxation, which he views as detrimental to the populace. Amidst ongoing bipartisan talks, Odinga’s critique underscores a deepening rift in Kenyan politics, as he accuses the government of engaging in selective development and manipulating funds allocation for political gains.
Odinga highlighted the plight of the Koru Soin dam project, a key infrastructure initiative meant to mitigate flooding and provide water for domestic use and irrigation in the region, which now faces funding uncertainties. The project, estimated at Sh20 billion, is crucial for the locals, promising to alleviate flooding along River Nyando and support agriculture and hydropower generation. However, Odinga alleges that the Ruto administration has diverted the allocated funds, sidelining this vital project due to political biases, especially against regions that predominantly support the opposition.
The Azimio leader’s visit was not just a critique of the current government’s policies but also an act of solidarity with the flood victims, to whom he distributed food supplies. His remarks shed light on the broader concerns of governance and development priorities, accusing the government of neglecting infrastructure projects initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. This alleged neglect is said to affect not only the Koru Soin dam but also other critical infrastructure like the Mamboleo-Miwani road, further exacerbating the sense of regional neglect.
Governor Anyang Nyong’o of Kisumu echoed Odinga’s concerns, calling for collective action from counties within the lake region to ensure the Koru Soin dam project’s completion. With over a thousand households affected by the recent floods, the urgency for effective flood management solutions, such as the Koru Soin dam, has never been more pronounced.
Odinga’s stern stance against the Finance Bill and his accusations of selective development paint a grim picture of the current political landscape in Kenya, where development projects and essential services are caught in the crossfire of political rivalry. As the bipartisan talks continue, the opposition’s demands for equitable development and transparent governance remain at the forefront of their agenda, signaling a contentious path ahead for Kenya’s legislative and executive branches.
Kisumu City News
