President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to return to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s Ukambani backyard after concluding a three-day visit in the three counties of lower eastern.
In a strategy to raid opposition strongholds ahead of the election, State House announced that Uhuru will return to Ukambani to commission what it termed as “a major” road project. The road is said to link the three counties of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni – the political bedrock of Kalonzo.
“Contractual issues on the road project are in their final stages and the President felt he needed all paperwork in place and the contractor on site before launching the works,” State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said yesterday.
During the planned visist, Uhuru will also commission a Huduma Centre in Kitui. Uhuru pitched tent in Ukambani since Friday amid warning by Kalonzo allies that he will leave with an “empty political basket”. During the three-day tour, the President dished out goodies, among them the commissioning of the Sh2.2 billion Masinga Kitui water supply project.
Noting that lack of water undermines the region’s potential to produce surplus food, Uhuru said his government is working round the clock to solve the problem.
He cited the ongoing rehabilitation of the 59km Yatta Canal at Sh2.2 billion and the Sh2.9 billion water project in Mavoko as part of the Sh10 billion initiative by his government to address the water problem.
Kalonzo gave the visit a wide berth, with his allies complaining the former Vice President was kept in the dark about the President’s programme. Uhuru is on a charm offensive to find an alternative replacement for ex-Lands CS Charity Ngilu – an erstwhile Jubilee starlwart in Ukambani.
Ngilu, however, appears to have abandoned Jubilee and was on Thursday last week spotted at Cord leader Raila Odinga’s Capitol Hill office.
During the visit, Ukambani leaders and professionals – including Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu and his Mwingi North counterpart John Munuve – paraded a number of top government officials to discount claims the region is not represented in government.
Speaking on behalf of Kitui county residents, the leaders said they have tasted the fruit of working with the government and will not be convinced to abandon their stand. Mutambu said the Kamba people have the decisive vote in the next general election and will use it wisely to vote for development and peace. He thanked Uhuru and the government for the projects already implemented, saying they are transforming residents’ lives. The legislator expressed optimism that the remaining projects, including the tarmacking of the Nguni – Mutitu road, will soon be completed. Munuve praised Uhuru’s leadership, saying it has spurred development.
DONT HESITATE TO JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE BELOW FOR MORE BREAKING AND HOT RESEARCHED NEWS
0 comments:
Post a Comment