Nyanza residents are upbeat as President William Ruto begins a two-day working tour of the region expected to turn around the economic fortunes.

Although perceived as ODM leader Raila Odinga’s turf, Ruto is keen to win over the support of residents going by Cabinet appointments and development projects lined up for the region.

And while the president will be unveiling a number of projects, residents are optimistic that he will consider the completion of the multi-billion Handshake projects started by his predecessor-former President Uhuru Kenyatta that are at risk of becoming white elephants. This is the President’s second visit to the region since he was elected to office in August last year. He visited Homa Bay in October last year and promised to complete projects and revive key sectors.Addressing a press briefing, yesterday, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, said the President will preside over the groundbreaking of affordable housing units in Homa Bay. The project will see the Government construct 5,000 houses to help address the housing problem in most towns in the region.Siaya, the backyard of ODM leader Raila, the president will commission the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology blue economy research hub. This will be Ruto’s first visit to Siaya county since he was elected into office.

Questions, however, remain whether the president will also prioritize the multi-billion projects that were started by former President Kenyatta whose fates are hanging in the balance. Most of the projects were birthed in 2018 after the Handshake between Raila and Uhuru.

There are fears that lack of political good will by the administration may render the projects white elephants.

They include the revival of the 67 KM Kisumu-Butere railway line, the Sh3b renovation of the Kisumu Port, the building of key roads, expansion of the Kisumu Airport and airstrips in Migori and Kisii. 

Others are mega investments in infrastructure, tourism, trade, manufacturing, agriculture and the blue economy. Observers believe the projects will boost investor confidence and attract more regional investments if implemented successfully.

The 67km Butere railway line is still lying idle more than eight months after its rehabilitation was completed, with its rail metals now facing threats from vandals and scrap metal dealers.

The project was part of the rehabilitation of the Nakuru-Kisumu Meter Gauge Railway line that is already operational. It was tipped to revive the transportation of goods and passengers to Kisumu.

However, Kenya Railways officials claim lack of enough locomotives has stalled the efforts to breathe life on the Butere line.

A new railway station built to complement operations is grossly underutilised with only one train making a single trip to the region each week.