Machakos County governor Dr. Alfred Mutua has declared war against poverty, ignorance and diseases as a way of improving livelihoods alongside realising the dream of Kenya's Vision 2030.
Addressing public at Athi River town on Friday, Dr. Mutua lamented that the nation has failed to eliminate the three epidemics many decades since Kenya got its independence in 1963.
"It is unfortunate that this country still struggles with increased poverty, ignorance and diseases among its citizens even though the founder President Late Mzee Jommo Kenyatta had shown commitment to eliminate the three once the nation got its independence many years back," said Mutua.
Dr. Mutua said that the county being a part of Kenya, its residents also struggle with apathy of diseases and poverty as the majority are not employed.
He said that devolution is working and through his leadership, he is committed to transforming the entire Machakos County to a ‘real place to be’.
Dr. Mutua said the constitution through devolution had given people opportunities and powers to handle their issues alone at grass root levels without unnecessary interference to perform better.
He said leaders given powers with members of the public to serve them through constitutional election should be given opportunities and ample time to serve their electorates without any interruption or intimidation.
He noted that his government is working extra smart and had done a lot to improve livelihoods citing his county as the only one among the 46 across the country with Security Police Patrol vehicles, well tarmacked and graded roads, Ambulances and CCTV cameras among other noble projects which his government had implemented within the last two years since general elections.
Dr. Mutua disclosed that the Ambulances were of great assistance to women across the county most of whom used to give birth by road sides in the past due to lack of proper means of transport to Health facilities.
“More than 10,850 patients have been ferried to Hospitals by the Ambulances since the beginning of this year, most of them being expectant women," said Dr. Mutua.
He said in spite of challenges that Kenya is apparently facing as a country, focused leaders should not allow the situation to destruct them from ensuring sustainable projects in their respective counties.