Homa Bay Prison in Ndhiwa Deemed Economically Worthless by Elders
A group of elders opposes the government’s plan to relocate Homa Bay GK Prison to Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County, arguing that the move will have no positive economic impact on the new location.
In addition, they asserted that they were not consulted, that there was no public participation, and that they have yet to receive official communication regarding the plan.
The protesting group is led by Joseph Ogada, the Homa Bay chair of the Luo Council of Elders; former Ndhiwa Member of Parliament Otieno Ogingo; Gor Omondi, the council’s Ndhiwa chair; secretary Alfred Oao; and member David Aroko.
Mr. Ogada, speaking to journalists in the town of Homa Bay, asserted that prison officers were spotted on the land last week, thereby confirming the relocation plans.
“We cannot reveal our sources, but rumor has it that the correctional facility will be moved to Ndhiwa without our consent,” he said.
Last week, John Warioba, the commissioner-general of the Kenya Prisons Service, announced plans to relocate the facility to allow for the growth of Tom Mboya University. The relocation is required because the prison and the university are adjacent.
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After requesting that President William Ruto expand the institution, the leaders proposed relocating the prison to Ndhiwa, Rangwe, or Suba.
Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga assured all parties involved that the issue would be resolved amicably. It appears that the process is already facing opposition from various groups.
“The land had been designated for the construction of a college affiliated with Tom Mboya University. Mr. Magwanga stated, “Therefore, we do not support the construction of a prison.”
Elders believe that a parcel of land in Kuoyo village, Kanyamwa Kosewe ward, will house the prison.
The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) purchased a 50-acre parcel in Ndhiwa for the expansion of Tom Mboya University.
“In January 2022, Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, and other politicians visited the land. They decided that the new university would be named the Raila Odinga University College of Agriculture and Technology,”
Mr. Odinga had also laid the building’s cornerstone.
If the plan is implemented, the original plan to establish a college may be scrapped.
“We cannot permit the exchange of a college for a prison. Mr. Ogada stated that a learning institution is analogous to an industry that will employ our people.
He suggested returning the land to the NG-CDF for another project if Tom Mboya University doesn’t want it.
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