Rarieda's Development Under TUJU is Real

I take this chance to respond to Antony Otieno Ong'ayo's allegation that development in Rarieda is a myth in the east African Standard of Friday 13/04/07

It is true that Rarieda is still very much undeveloped just as many other areas in Nyanza. I come from Rarieda, Asembo Republic,Nyandiwa Village and I'm aware of the low quality of life of our people. I was last in the area over the Easter holidays and one of the things that everyone in the constituency is in agreement with is Hon Tuju has brought REAL development in the area. Infact they are ready to vote him back on any other party but not Narc-kenya.

Look at this.

1. The mobile clinic is operational and visits designated centers on set days e.g. On 5th April I met it at Nyilima center .The locals fully appreciate its services.

2. The water project from Asembo bay via Lwak to Got Rambugu has always been on the planning table since independence but through Tuju's own initiatives it is now being implemented under the 30 by 30 project with some Italians. The locals have also been hired for this purpose and are being paid promptly.

3.The MP has initiated development in various schools in terms of equipment and buildings (classrooms, libraries, staff rooms, toilets)in every corner of the constituency.

4.Through Rarieda Bursary fund very many orphans are being supported through secondary schools in terms of fees.

5.The tarmacking of Ndori-Owimbi-lwanda kotieno Road has always been on paper ever since. Infact during the IPPG talks of 1997 The then MP Ramogi Achieng Oneko cooled us down as we protested his participation in the talks that saved the Moi Regime with the promise that the road was to be tarmarcked as an appreciation. Nothing was done despite Government Expenditure report Indicating it was done.

Today we boast of it as being one of the best roads in Nyanza. Maybe it was argued for by The former Works minister Hon Raila as he did for The Kisian-Bondo-Usenge section, but to the locals since it is being done during Tuju's tenure and the money has not been eaten as before, all we know is that Tuju has built the road period. Further more, there are minor projections from the main road like the Kalandin- Kamito section which are not part of the Government plan that are being done using The CDF with Tuju's help.

However we should remember that building roads is not the responsibility of an MP.

That is why Antony writing from Sweden is missing the point when he talks of Nyandiwa and Banda bridges. These two are on the Kamito-Akado-Kolenyo road whose expansion and upgrading is being done by the Government. I believe the two bridges together with others will be addressed.

6.It is true the current electrification being done in the constituency was not initiated by Tuju. This is a long time Government project that was being done in phases. He is benefiting politically from it because transformers and lights are being seen when he is the MP.However there are diversions from the main government line that are targeting schools, market centers and health centers that is being done by the MP himself or with the CDF funds.

If the above are not development then we should re-define the word.

A Friend of mine from the neighboring Kisumu Rural constituency recently joked that if it is likely that voters in Rarieda will not elect Tuju, then they will cross and register as voters in the area and back him, but not through Narc-kenya.

Watch this space.

Okoth Leakey
Dar es salaam.