Dr. Raymond Omollo — CBS

For the past four years, strategic government investment has been rapidly transforming Homa Bay Town from a sleepy lakeside centre into a modern urban hub, with improved roads, housing, sports facilities and fish-market infrastructure, positioning it for greater commercial activity and tourism. Road upgrades led by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (@KeNHAKenya) are improving mobility and access across the town. Key works include the Got Rabuor–Homa Bay Pier–Corner Kodoyo road, commissioned by H.E. President William Ruto in September 2026, alongside the upgrading of inner roads, pedestrian walkways and drainage systems to strengthen connectivity and support businesses. The transformation extends beyond roads. The Government's Affordable Housing Programme has delivered 110 homes in Homa Bay, while the modern fish market provides cold storage and improved trading facilities to reduce fish losses and support the Blue Economy. The upgraded 12,000-seat Raila Odinga Stadium adds a major venue for sports, talent development and national events. Together, these investments signal a deliberate shift towards a better-connected, more orderly and economically vibrant Homa Bay, positioning the lakeside town as a growing centre for trade, tourism and urban development. The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration continues to play a critical role in coordinating local administration and security to safeguard infrastructure development, maintain order along construction corridors and protect a conducive business environment.

Congratulations to Kenya Police FC on securing a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Ulinzi Stars in the SportPesa League. Keep the momentum going as you pursue greater success this season.

Appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration to discuss security and operational challenges at our points of entry and exit, particularly Busia and Malaba One Stop Border Posts, Lamu Port and the wider transport corridors. Through the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC) and the Border Management Secretariat, we continue to strengthen multi-agency operations, joint security patrols, common operating procedures and information sharing. We are prioritising coordinated action to address infrastructure and capacity gaps, improve digital systems interoperability, combat smuggling and cargo-related crime, and resolve regional trade facilitation challenges through the appropriate East African Community mechanisms. Our focus remains on securing the country's borders and strategic transport corridors while facilitating legitimate trade, protecting revenue and strengthening regional integration.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Cllr. Caleb Ouko, Chairperson of the Great Rachuonyo Council of Elders. His was a voice of wisdom, a source of guidance and a steady hand in moments of uncertainty. His departure leaves a void in the traditional leadership of Rachuonyo and among the many whose lives he touched through his counsel. I extend my sincere condolences to his family, fellow elders and the people of Great Rachuonyo. May his legacy of wisdom and service continue to inspire generations. Nind'gi kwe, Ogai.

The ongoing development of the Lichota Passenger Terminal in Migori County underscores the role of modern transport connectivity in driving regional growth, expanding trade and investment, and linking local economies to wider markets. The project is strengthening Migori's potential as a gateway for business and tourism. Implemented by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the upgrade will replace the existing basic waiting facilities with a modern terminal designed to serve up to 500,000 passengers annually. It includes domestic and international passenger zones, Customs and Immigration facilities, and integration with the expanded two-kilometre runway to support larger commercial aircraft. The facility is expected to boost cross-border trade, attract investment and open up tourism opportunities across Migori and the wider region. The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration will be instrumental in coordinating security and border control operations, ensuring safe, orderly and efficient movement of passengers and goods.

Kenya's hosting of FC Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam on 5 January 2027, during the ceremonial opening of Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City, will be a landmark moment for our country. The global sporting event offers an opportunity to strengthen our international relations, attract investment, promote tourism and create new business opportunities. The Ministry of Interior will coordinate security and inter-agency operations to ensure the event is safe, orderly and successful, while demonstrating Kenya's capacity to host major international engagements.

The completed upgrade of the Rusinga Island Ring Road to bitumen standards, alongside routine maintenance, has strengthened connectivity across Suba North Constituency, Homa Bay County, opening up the island's economic potential following its commissioning by H.E. President William Ruto in March 2026. Implemented by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the project is making movement easier for residents, traders and visitors while improving access to the island's fishing beaches, lakefront settlements and tourism attractions, thereby accelerating growth in the Blue Economy. With smoother and more reliable roads, residents can transport fish and other goods to markets more efficiently, businesses can reach a wider customer base and visitors can explore the island with greater ease. Reduced travel times and transport costs are expected to improve household incomes, strengthen local enterprises and encourage investment in hospitality and other tourism-related services. These gains are complemented by the work of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration in coordinating local administration, supporting orderly implementation of public projects and strengthening security within Kenya's territorial waters on Lake Victoria. This coordination helps sustain a secure environment for fishing, trade and tourism to flourish, ensuring that improved infrastructure translates into tangible benefits for Rusinga Island residents and the wider local economy.

Joined H.E. President @WilliamsRuto on the final day of his four-day development tour of the South Eastern Region, marked by key investments in industry, education and infrastructure. The President broke ground for Devki Group's cement and clinker plant at Ngaaie, Kitui County, which will boost manufacturing, create jobs and stimulate local economic growth. In Machakos County, he launched the Kagonde–Masinga–Kithyoko Road and Last Mile Connectivity projects to improve transport, expand electricity access and support businesses and households. He also commissioned the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Yatta Campus in Matuu to expand access to medical training and strengthen healthcare staffing, and launched the Matuu–Kyasioni–Katangi Road to improve connectivity and ease the movement of people and goods. The tour concluded with a public engagement in Matuu Town, where residents interacted with the President on development priorities.

Targeting university and college students, Jukwaa la Wasomi provides a platform for constructive dialogue, informed debate and consensus-building on issues shaping our socio-economic and political discourse. The programme also promotes mediation, peaceful conflict resolution and preventive approaches to security, equipping young people to address emerging challenges before they escalate into crises. Held an engagement with the Jukwaa la Wasomi Coordinators drawn from different institutions of higher learning across the country.

The Muhuru Bay Pier Development and Rehabilitation Project, launched by H.E. President @WilliamsRuto in May 2025 and managed under the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is tapping into the immense Blue Economy potential of the Lake Victoria shoreline through strategic infrastructure to expand trade, strengthen fisheries and stimulate economic growth in Nyatike and the wider Migori County. Revetment works are progressing through the installation of a steel retaining barrier in the lake and the placement and compaction of rock fill to form and stabilise the pier approach while protecting the shoreline against wave action. Key facilities include a 50-by-30-metre reinforced concrete jetty for larger vessels, cold storage for fish preservation, an administrative block for port and customs operations and perimeter security infrastructure. Once operational, the port will reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access for fishermen and strengthen lake transport links with Homa Bay, Sori and Kisumu. It will also complement the Masara–Muhuru Bay road upgrade, creating new opportunities for trade and investment. Effective maritime security will be critical to the port's long-term success, with the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration working alongside relevant agencies to safeguard infrastructure, regulate cross-border movement and secure lake transport routes, creating a safe environment for trade and regional connectivity.

Homa Bay Town is on the verge of becoming a regional gateway for trade, tourism and lake transport following the complete redevelopment of the Homa Bay Pier. Four years ago, this prime stretch of the Lake Victoria waterfront lay abandoned, choked by water hyacinth and weeds. Today, it has been transformed into a modern maritime facility with the potential to reshape the town's economic prospects and strengthen its connection to the wider Lake Victoria region. Implemented by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the redevelopment includes a modern ferry ramp engineered with a 30-degree gradient to facilitate smooth roll-on/roll-off operations. The facility also features terminal buildings, warehouses, a ferry waiting bay and a permanent administrative office. Construction is complete, and the pier now awaits official commissioning. For Homa Bay residents, reliable ferry services and better port facilities will ease the movement of people and goods, create opportunities for traders and transport operators, stimulate tourism and support livelihoods linked to fishing and other lake-based enterprises. Local businesses stand to benefit from increased passenger traffic, while farmers and traders gain improved access to markets across the lake. The pier is strategically positioned to connect Homa Bay with Kisumu, Mbita, Siaya, Busia and Migori, as well as the lake islands, including Mfangano. Its wider regional potential extends to Entebbe and Jinja in Uganda and Mwanza in Tanzania, offering opportunities to expand cross-border commerce, tourism and passenger transport. As the facility prepares to open for full operations, the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is strengthening coordination among maritime security agencies and supporting enforcement within the port precinct. These measures are intended to protect the infrastructure, safeguard passengers and cargo, and ensure safe and orderly operations.

Conveyed my condolences to my friend Moses Ouma and his family at their home in Mukuyu Village, South Kanyamkago, following the passing of his beloved wife, Annette Ouma. As the family prepares to lay Annette to rest on Friday, I wish them strength, comfort and courage during this difficult time. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

The Fourth Estate plays a vital role in keeping the public informed through credible, accurate and verifiable information, particularly in an era when AI-generated content makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish facts from misinformation. The media also has a responsibility to contribute to community development by amplifying local voices, highlighting pressing challenges and fostering informed public participation in identifying solutions and driving meaningful change. Held an engagement with the leadership of Jofwambo Welfare Group.

For too long, the notion that trade and commercial success belong to particular regions has persisted, partly because access to enabling infrastructure has been uneven. The National Government is changing this narrative by expanding investment in local markets and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship across the country. The ongoing construction of the Kiabuya Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Gwassi South Ward, Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County, is part of this effort to make commerce a shared national opportunity and source of pride. Designed to provide small-scale traders with a dignified, all-weather trading environment, the market will feature structured stalls, reliable water supply, modern sanitation facilities and designated waste collection areas. It is expected to serve more than 300 rural traders, improve the handling of agricultural and fish products, and strengthen local supply chains. Construction is also creating employment for young people, artisans and casual workers from the surrounding communities. The long-term success of these investments depends on protecting the infrastructure and ensuring traders can operate without fear of disruption. Through its grassroots administrative structures, the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration works with communities to promote the security of public facilities, prevent vandalism and support orderly use of trading spaces.

Government investments in road and market infrastructure, alongside community empowerment programmes, are improving connectivity, expanding economic opportunities and positioning Ndhiwa to harness its considerable agricultural potential for growth. With other leaders, we met the Business Community, Cane and Livestock Farmers from Ndhiwa Constituency, Homa Bay County.

Close collaboration with regional leaders remains key to assessing development progress, addressing constituents' concerns, strengthening security and promoting peaceful coexistence among residents. Joined Bahati MP, Hon. Irene Njoki, for a public engagement with residents of her constituency, where we highlighted key development projects undertaken by the administration of H.E. President William Ruto, listened to residents' views and discussed matters of public interest.

We will continue to strengthen engagement with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and their grassroots networks to enhance security coordination and support the effective implementation of government programmes, including ongoing national examinations and the issuance of national identity cards and birth certificates. Led by the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, I chaired a consultative meeting with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) in Bahati Sub-County, Nakuru County, bringing together the County Commissioner, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, their Assistants and Village Elders.