The Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Performance, Eliud Owalo, has underscored the pivotal role that fulfilling campaign promises will play in shaping the narrative of the next political campaigns.

Owalo emphasized that the government’s unwavering commitment to delivering on tangible projects is not just a matter of policy, but a cornerstone for building public trust and ensuring sustainable development across the country.

“Delivery on every campaign promise will inform the next political campaigns, and that’s why the government is very keen on keeping them,” Owalo stated, highlighting the administration’s focus on accountability and measurable outcomes.

 
Speaking in Rarieda during the funeral of the former Bondo TTC tutor and veteran educationist, Hezron Onege, in Oboch village, Owalo reiterated the government’s dedication to transformative projects in the Lake region.

Among the flagship initiatives is Phase 2 of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which will traverse Kisumu all the way to the Malaba border. This critical infrastructure project is expected to be a gamechanger for the region’s economic landscape, facilitating trade, movement, and regional integration.
 
In addition to the railway, Owalo outlined a suite of other ambitious projects, including the revitalization of the lake region ring road for which negotiations are underway with the World Bank and other potential partners. The government is also prioritizing the revitalization of the sugar and cotton industries, sectors that have historically been the backbone of the region’s economy but have suffered from years of neglect and regulatory challenges. By addressing issues such as artisanal mining-which has been plagued by fatal incidents and regulatory bottlenecks-the administration aims to create safer, more productive economic opportunities for local communities.
 
Owalo further noted that the government is actively working to clear outstanding arrears owed to sugar farmers, a move that is expected to inject much-needed liquidity into the agricultural sector and restore confidence among stakeholders. He stressed the importance of pursuing feasible and sustainable mechanisms for revitalizing these critical economic activities, ensuring that the benefits are both immediate and long-lasting.
 
The Deputy Chief of Staff also announced plans to establish modern abattoirs and develop a robust value addition chain for hides and skins, transforming them into high-value leather products.

“It is absurd that locals here sell their hides at fifty shillings per hide, yet one hide can produce more than three pairs of shoes that sell at fifteen thousand a pair,” Owalo remarked, underscoring the untapped potential in value addition and the need for local industries to capture a greater share of the value chain.
 
The event was also graced by KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, who lauded the government’s historic achievement in employing over 76,000 teachers, in the last 2 years-a feat never before witnessed in the country’s education sector.

“This must be said without any fear of contradiction: as the teaching fraternity, we are very happy. We’ve never had such a record number of teachers employed within such a short time as this and still counting,” said Oyuu, reflecting the administration’s commitment to strengthening the education system as a foundation for national development.
 
Accompanying the Deputy Chief of Staff were regional commissioner Flora Mworoa, County Commissioner Norbert Komora, and their respective security teams, demonstrating the government’s collective resolve to ensure the success of these initiatives.
 
Looking ahead, Owalo reaffirmed the government’s resolve to work closely with local leaders, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate the implementation of these projects. He called on all stakeholders to play their part in supporting the government’s vision for a prosperous and inclusive Lake region. “Our objective is not just to fulfill promises, but to lay a foundation for generations to come,” Owalo concluded, signaling a new era of hope and opportunity for the region’s residents.