Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege has expressed concern over what she described as underdevelopment in Bungoma County, attributing it to the area’s choice of housing materials and economic activities.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Thursday, Chege shared her observations from a recent visit to Bungoma, where she was struck by the prevalence of mud houses.
She noted that such a situation is uncommon in Central Kenya, where the standard of living is generally higher due to economic factors.
“When we attended the burial of the mother of our Speaker of the National Assembly, I was shocked to see that in Bungoma County, there are still many mud houses, and even an entire shopping centre made of mud,” Chege remarked.
However, she clarified that her concern was not about prioritizing one region over another but rather about addressing the root causes of such economic disparities.
Chege highlighted the economic advantages that Central Kenya has enjoyed, particularly the role of cash crops such as tea and coffee in driving local development. She pointed out that income from these crops has enabled residents to improve their living standards significantly.
Reflecting on her own upbringing, Chege recalled how tea farming played a central role in her family’s financial stability.
“We would wake up early before school to pick tea and work late into the evening. We worked very hard. We farmed,” she recounted.
She further explained that her mother would often provide her with a cheque from the tea bonuses to take to school, emphasizing how proceeds from cash crops contributed to better livelihoods.
“The cash crops in Central Kenya have made the people improve their lifestyles,” she noted.
Chege elaborated that these earnings have enabled many residents of Central Kenya to access bank loans and build decent homes. She also pointed out that the availability of tea and coffee in Mount Kenya gives the region an economic advantage over other parts of the country.
She stressed that the difference in development is not necessarily a reflection of the hard work or dedication of the people but rather the availability of income-generating opportunities. She emphasized that economic activities, particularly those centered around cash crops, play a crucial role in determining the standard of living and level of development in different regions.
Her comments have sparked discussions on regional economic disparities in Kenya, with many calling for strategies to enhance income-generating activities in areas like Bungoma to improve living standards and drive development.
