President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged residents of Western Kenya to reject politicians who preach tribalism as local leaders assembly to express their support for Jubilee.
Uhuru, who was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto, said tribalism breeds hatred and disunity which retard development.
“I tell our opponents to go slow and let us people compete on ideas and policies instead of tribalism. The politics of tribalism are no longer viable in modern Kenya. For us in Jubilee, our actions and development record are there for all to see,” the President said.
He added: “Under Jubilee, Kenya is coming together as one people not as a divided nation.”
President Kenyatta spoke on Thursday, on the first day of his working tour of Western region, that saw him issue more than 2,000 title deeds in Mt. Elgon constituency and reopened Rai Paper (formerly Pan Paper) in Webuye, Bungoma County.
The President also launched the tarmacking the Kakamega – Navakholo – Musikoma road, a key link to the counties of Kakamega and Bungoma, that will change the face of Western Kenya in terms of development.
He commended legislators from region who are working with the Government in accelerating development for the benefit of the residents.
“I want to thank Members of Parliament who – unlike others – are mature and are working with the Government in supporting development in the region. These are leaders who have put the interests of the electorate above their own,” the President said.
Speaking at Navakholo in Kakamega County after launching of the 45-kilometre Kakamega – Navakholo – Musikoma road that will be upgraded to bitumen standards at a will cost over Ksh 1.9 billion, President Kenyatta affirmed the Jubilee Government’s determination to implement development across the country.
He said the road will accelerate development and boost the economy of the region by reducing transport costs and attracting investors who will create jobs for the youth.
“We are here to fulfil the pledges we made and to unite the country. Our aim is to spread development across the country because it is through concrete developments that we will create jobs for our young people and eradicate poverty,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta also pointed out that the reopening of the Webuye Pan Paper Mills and the Government’s injection of Ksh 3.5 billion to revive Mumias Sugar Company – that was almost collapsing – signals his administration’s focus on lifting the lives of the residents of Western Kenya.
Deputy President William Ruto cited the roads, technical training colleges and the connection of electricity to over 70,000 households in Kakamega county alone as some of the projects Jubilee intends to lift the lives of the residents.
Western region leaders who included Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Ben Washiali (Mumias East), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) among others assured the President and his deputy of the support of the people of Western region.
Governor Lusaka said the people of Bungoma are supporting the Jubilee Party because they trust President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
“You mean what you say and you say what you mean,” he said as he thanked the two leaders for keeping their word on the revival of Pan Paper Factory.
Malava MP Malulu Injendi said those who have ears have heard and those who have eyes have seen the development Jubilee has implement in the Western region and across the country.
Sirisia MP John Walukhe said majority of the people of Western Kenya support Jubilee Party because they have seen that it will pull them out of under-development and launch them on the path of progress.
“We will give all our votes to Jubilee,” Walukhe said as he joined other leaders in expressing his support for the Jubilee Party.
Bumula MP Boniface Otsiula said any politician who makes claims about popular support for the opposition in Western Kenya is deluding himself.
“These are not faces that look like they will change any time soon, he said amid cheers of approval from the public,” he said.
Former Cabinet Minister Fred Gumo said the people of the region have changed their mind about their political orientation after witnessing the progress the Jubilee administration has initiated in the region.
MP Dan Wanyama said: “Thank you for addressing the plight of the people of Bungoma. We will show you our gratitude come the 2017 elections.”
By a show hands, residents declared their support to Jubilee at every stop the President and his deputy made to acknowledge greetings as they drove from Webuye through Navakholo to Kakamega town.
--PSCU