A section of leaders in Kisumu County have urged residents to accord President Uhuru Kenyatta a warm reception when he visits on Saturday.
Speaking separately to the press on Friday in Kisumu town area politicians, business people and the clergy called on locals to unite and welcome the President.
They said Uhuru will come to Kisumu for thanksgiving mass not on political grounds. County Commissioner John Elungata confirmed the President’s visit.
President Uhuru will attend a thanksgiving mass at St Stephen Cathedral in Milimani Estate in Kisumu. He is also expected to preside over a funds drive in aid of the church construction.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and Muhoroni MP Onyango K’Oyoo appealed to residents to welcome Uhuru and use the forum to lobby for development projects.
Ranguma said they will use the platform to ask the president to initiate more projects to create job opportunities for youths.
“When Kisumu gets many visitors of such status, that is when we will have economic and development growth,” he said.
K’Oyoo said the president is free to visit any region anytime regardless of the political status.
“Our people must deviate from chaos which only scares away investors from empowering our region economically,” he said.
He urged Uhuru to tour Muhoroni constituency and help revive dilapidated factories such as Miwani.
“We are urging him to initiate new development projects for our people. Mamboleo- Miwani Road is in deplorable condition which the president should consider in his visit,” K’Oyoo said.
He said locals should accord the President the respect he deserves.
Nyanza Council of Church Leaders chairman Bishop Washington Ngede said only the president is in a position to initiate development projects in Kisumu.
“We are appealing to our people to welcome the president and shun political battles until 2017,” Ngede said.
He said leaders should take advantage of the visit and asked the president to help revive stalled industries to provide youth employment.
Kisumu City Residence Voice chairman Audi Ogada said Cord leader Raila Odinga had not said anywhere that Uhuru is unwelcome in Nyanza.