Busia County is on the cusp of significant transformation, with a flurry of national government projects rapidly taking shape. And there’s a clear directive from the top: local communities must be the primary beneficiaries.

Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, recently reiterated this commitment during an inspection tour of projects across Busia.

He emphasized a crucial instruction to contractors to utilize local materials and labor whenever possible.

“Contractors must use local materials as this provides a market for our ‘Jua Kali’ industry,” Owalo stated. “These are clear instructions: procure raw materials and even labor from local communities. The only exception is for materials or services that are genuinely not available here.”

This push for local content isn’t just rhetoric; it’s designed to directly inject funds into the grassroots economy, creating immediate market opportunities for artisans and jobs for residents.

Fueling Food Security and Education

Owalo expressed satisfaction with the overall progress of the projects, noting that most are well on track.

He further highlighted several key initiatives set to bring major benefits: Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project, this vital project in Bunyala sub-county, currently at 60 percent completion and valued at approximately Sh3 billion, is poised to be a game-changer for food security in the region. Owalo stressed its importance, along with other agricultural interventions like the lowered cost of fertilizer, in boosting national food production.

Alupe University Expansion: Addressing a critical need, the national government is investing significantly in Alupe University. The students’ hostels project, costing Sh1.1 billion, is progressing well and will alleviate accommodation challenges. Additionally, a modern tuition block, a Ksh 405 million investment, is also underway.

Alupe Dam Water Supply and Sanitation: Good news for local communities seeking improved water access! The Alupe Dam Water Supply and Sanitation project is ready to kick off. The contractor has been awaiting designs and survey data from the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, which has now assured that all requirements are ready for immediate handover, signaling the imminent start of work.

Driving Industry, Trade, and Housing

Beyond agriculture and education, other major projects are set to stimulate economic activity and improve living standards which are the Busia County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) estimated to cost Sh448 million park, implemented by the State Department of Industry, is already 75 percent complete. Once operational, the CAIP will be instrumental in adding value to agricultural produce and creating crucial job opportunities for youth and women.

Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Facility at Nasewa: With 78 percent completion, this facility is set to attract significant investment, further boosting economic prospects in the area.

Affordable Housing at Funyula; This ambitious project will deliver a total of 880 units at a cost of Sh2.6bllion, currently 40 percent complete. Crucially, it’s already creating a robust market for local youth in the “Jua Kali” sector, who are supplying essential materials like doors and windows.

Supporting Small Businesses and Local Markets

The government’s commitment to supporting those at the base of the economic pyramid is also evident in the construction of modern markets. The Bumala modern market, for instance, is a direct intervention aligned with this agenda. Beyond providing decent business spaces for over 300 traders, it will also feature an ICT hub, offering young people opportunities to acquire online skills and secure digital jobs.

Butula MP Joseph Oyula lauded the Bumala market as a “game-changer” for the area, praising its impact on youth and women. He also made a plea for the swift undertaking of the advertised hostels project at Butula KMTC, highlighting the urgent need for student accommodation following recent admissions.

Charles Mung’ala, the Bumala market chairman, expressed strong support for the government’s initiatives. “This market is going to help many traders,” he noted. “We have more than 1,000 traders, and we are grateful that at least 320 will now have a decent place for their business.”