President Uhuru Kenyatta during a campaign event in Mombasa on Sunday. [Photo/ Courtesy of UK]
By PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta today told residents of Mombasa County to vote out leaders who have failed to champion their interests and have wasted the last four years chasing their own pursuits.
President Kenyatta said areas represented by Members of Parliament like Masoud Mwahima, who really care about solving the problems facing their people, have seen many historical and development issues resolved.
The President cited the issuance of title deeds to the thousands of people of Likoni Constituency who lived as squatters for many decades.
The Head of State, who spoke when he addressed a Jubilee rally at Jomvu, said no one will become a hero by insulting other leaders.
“You can only become a hero if you remove the tonnes of garbage in the streets of Mombasa not by issuing insults,. We will clap for you when you clean Mombasa” said the President.
“How many markets have you built for small traders? How many kilometers of roads have you built?,” asked the President.
The President said Kenyans are not interested in ‘big people’ but servant leadership that is ready to work and deliver progress.
“Suleiman Shahbaal (the Jubilee Mombasa gubernatorial candidae) will serve the people of Mombasa and not his stomach,” said the President as he urged residents to vote for the Jubilee team.
“We want the right leaders who will sit down with the Government to solve the problems facing the people of Mombasa,” said the President.
He also criticized the governor of Mombasa for engaging in ignorance with claims that the Government wants to relocate the port of Mombasa to Naivasha.
He said the port of Mombasa will expand and more ships will use it following the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway, contrary to false allegations by some local leaders.
Deputy President William Ruto said Naivasha will become an industrial city and the dry port will serve the factories that will be set up in the Special Economic Zone.
“There is a difference between a port and an industrial town and anyone who does not understand that should know that education is now free. They can go back to school and learn,” said the DP.
Mr Shahbaal said the city of Mombasa has lost four years of development due to poor leadership with wrong priorities.
“We have lost four years and Sh40 billion. No one know where all that money has gone to,” said the Jubilee gubernatorial candidate.
He promised to set up a free port in Mombasa to create more jobs instead of engaging in personal pursuits like the current leadership.
Mr Shahbaal also accused his rivals of trying to divide the residents of the city on tribal and religious grounds.
“Other politicians are trying to divide Kenyans on the basis of tribes and religion. We reject that kind of politics,” said Mr Shahbaal.
Taveta MP Naomi Shaaban said the amount of dirt that is piled up in the streets of Mombasa was unbelievable for a city that is the gateway to the East and Central Africa region. She called on voters to back leaders who care about their interests.
Kwale Women Rep Zeinab Chidzuga called on residents to vote overwhelmingly for Jubilee, saying that it was the winning side.
“Do not waste your votes on the opposition. Jubilee will win the election and will continue ruling,” she said.
The rally was also addressed by Shahbaal’s running mate Anania Mwaboza and Deputy Governor of Mombasa Hazel Katana, who is running for senator on the Jubilee ticket.