Homa Bay County gears for Madaraka day, Devolution conference

Raila Odinga Studium in Homa Bay, which has been under rehabilitation for the last two months is set to be handed over to the County government of by May 15 to host the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations.

The rehabilitation which is being undertaken by the National government will be complete by the middle of next month and is expected to host over 10,000 people during the celebrations.

Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo, who led an inspection delegation at the stadium on Tuesday said the stadium will be ready for the June 1,2025 national celebration.

Omollo said the contractor is currently in the advanced stages of putting up the canopy on the new pavilions that have been built at the sports facility.

Omollo, who was accompanied by Governor Gladys Wanga said business operators should take advantage of the event to reap profits.

On her part, Governor Wanga expressed optimism that the fete will be used to address issues affecting fishermen in Lake Victoria.

She stated that insecurity is a major problem facing fishermen in lake Victoria, where there are limited resources in the lake to reduce accidents and insecurities.

Wanga added that the ongoing projects will have long term economic benefits for residents, encouraging the business community to take the opportunity to boost their businesses.

The County will also be hosting the 2025 devolution conference that will be steered by the Council of Governors (CoG).

CoG on Tuesday held a consultative meeting with the business communities in Homa Bay as traders warned against exorbitant charges of goods and services during the convention.

The CoG, through devolution conference steering committee met the business communities comprising hoteliers, traders, bodaboda riders, transporters among other players in the informal sector.

The steering committee chairperson Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the conference has a lot of business opportunities that the business class should tap to make profit, warning the traders to avoid an attempt to exaggerate the charges on goods and services above normal rates.

Speaking during the meeting held at the Governor’s park in Homa Bay town, Kahiga said the 9th conference aims at strengthening devolution functions and focusing on promoting socio-economic aspects of Kenyans.

Governor Wanga assured that the county is ready to host the devolution conference, calling on business communities to take the advantage of the national event to boost the business by providing quality goods and services to their clients who will be attending the conference.

She appealed to the residents to always maintain peace and harmony so that the region can reap from the conference through doing businesses.