As the next general election is fast approaching, the Bungoma County Gubernatorial seat has attracted yet another contender, Antony Tawai Wamukota, a civil engineer by profession who hails from Webuye east constituency.
In his visit to several churches in Tongaren Sub County, Engineer Tawai stated that he is keen to ensure that devolution empowers the common citizen at the grass root level saying that after moving across the County, he noted that many of the residents are still living in abject poverty.
He urged the County Government to set aside a substantial allocation for the agricultural sector since it is the backbone of the County’s economy saying that enough soil testing machines could be distributed across the nine constituencies to help farmers ascertain suitable crops for their farms.
“It is unfortunate that farmers are harvesting little maize from their farms despite investing a lot during the planting season hence a new approach of helping them is highly needed so as to assure our County of food security” he said.
Engineer Tawai applauded the efforts of the government to revive Webuye Pan Paper Mills saying it will assure the youths of job opportunities as well as rejuvenate the Webuye town.
He however faulted the process in which the factory was wholly sold out to a foreign investor saying the County Government could have bought a few shares of the company as a sense of belonging.
He disclosed that he will be keen on tackling the issue of unemployment among youths saying that he will ensure that the locals benefit on tenders such as construction of roads by providing labor and also using available local materials instead of importing from outside the County.
Engineer Tawai urged residents to ensure that they elect MCA’s who are well versed with issues of development and will be able to pass bills that will be beneficial to residents of the County saying they play a big role towards the success of the County Government.
Regarding the party he will be vying on, the engineer said that he is yet to decide on grounds that he is looking upon leaders in western Kenya to have a unity of purpose by ensuring they come together to form a strong alliance which will be able to provide direction and proper leadership up to the grass root level.
He expressed his desire for the Luhya nation, which is composed of people from the five counties of the western region, to have one direction as it will be the only way to achieve development.
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“This only way we will lead is if all the leaders from the region agree to have one common candidate to back for the top seat in the Country,” said Tawai.
Accompanying him were local leaders including former Mt Elgon County Council Chairman Amos Tulgon who called upon the residents to be keen in electing leaders who will be able to push the development agenda forward.