Governor Gladys Wanga has led a high-profile economic empowerment programme in Rangwe Constituency aimed at supporting women traders and strengthening small businesses across the county.
The event, hosted by Dr. Lilian Gogo and presided over by Treasury Cabinet Secretary FCPA John Mbadi, brought together a wide cross-section of leaders from both county and national levels, including CS Opiyo Wandayi, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Deputy Governor Prof. Daniel (Danish) Onyango, Senators Moses Kajwang and Dr. Beatrice Ogola, as well as several MPs and MCAs from the Nyanza region.
In her remarks, Governor Wanga said the county leadership remains committed to building sustainable livelihoods through targeted support for women entrepreneurs, arguing that empowering traders is central to boosting household incomes and local economic growth.“We are dedicated to fostering sustainable livelihoods in our region,” Wanga said, noting that the programme was part of a broader county strategy to expand access to capital and business opportunities for small-scale traders.
The county government said the initiative focuses on startup support, business expansion, and improving access to financial tools for women engaged in informal trade, which forms a significant part of Homa Bay’s local economy.
However, the gathering of top political figures has also attracted criticism from sections of residents and governance observers who argue that such empowerment programmes are increasingly being turned into political platforms rather than purely economic interventions.
Some critics claim that the frequent presence of national leaders at county-driven empowerment events risks blurring the line between development initiatives and political mobilisation, especially in regions where political alignments remain strong.
Others have raised concerns about sustainability, questioning whether one-off cash handouts and group funding schemes translate into long-term business growth or meaningful structural change in the local economy.
“There is always excitement during these events, but the real question is follow-through,” said a governance analyst based in the region, noting that many empowerment programmes struggle with monitoring and impact evaluation once the political spotlight fades.
Supporters of the county government, however, argue that such programmes play a critical role in supporting informal traders who often lack access to formal credit systems. They say bringing together national and county leaders helps mobilise resources and accelerate development projects in underserved communities.
They also point to ongoing collaboration between the county and national government as evidence of improved intergovernmental relations aimed at strengthening service delivery and economic inclusion.
The event comes as counties across the country continue to roll out similar empowerment initiatives, which remain both popular with beneficiaries and controversial among critics who question their long-term economic impact versus their political visibility.
