President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday launched phase three of the Sigor Wei Wei irrigation project in West Pokot County.
The project to be funded by the Italian Government in collaboration with the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) is estimated to cost Sh1 billion.
President Kenyatta – who was flanked by Deputy President William Ruto – said the project would go a long way in addressing the perennial famine and cattle rustling incidents in the area.
The Head of State said the Government was committed to fighting poverty and restoring peace along the Kerio Valley through initiation of irrigation projects in the region.
“Our aim is to ensure residents along the valley live in peace and engage in income generating activities through initiation of development projects like the one we are launching today,” said President Kenyatta.
Addressing wananchi at the Wei Wei farm in Sigor Constituency after launching the project, President Kenyatta said the project would not only boost food security along the Kerio Valley but the country at large.
The Head of State criticized the Opposition for engaging in political witch-hunting at the expense of service delivery.
He said most of those leaders in the Opposition had at one time served in Government and in senior positions but they have nothing to show Kenyans.
“Those who are accusing us were even ministers of roads and they have nothing to show Kenyans,” said President Kenyatta.
Terming some Opposition leaders as ‘lords of poverty’, President Kenyatta said some individuals were bent on impoverishing Kenyans to advance their selfish political motives.
“There are some, whom I do not want to name them, but they are called lords of poverty who are not interested in development because they want to use poor people all the time for their selfish ends,” said the President.
He said the Jubilee Administration has initiated several development projects that will transform the lives of Kenyans in the field of energy, infrastructure, health and water among other sectors.
The President said when the Jubilee Government came to office in 2013, only 2.3 million Kenyans had been connected to electricity in 50 years but three years later more than 5.1 million Kenyans are now connected to electricity.
The Head of State said the expansion of two hospitals to the status of referral in every county is aimed at ensuring efficient provision of health services to Kenyans.
Deputy President said Kenyans will judge the Jubilee Administration by what it has done to Kenyans unlike the Opposition which was focusing its energies on propaganda.
“Jubilee is focusing its energies on serving Kenyans and will not be distracted by allegations and falsehoods by the opposition,” said Deputy President Ruto.
He said the Opposition has always lodged false claims of corruption in all the development projects the Government has initiated but that propaganda will not stopped Jubilee from implementing its development agenda.
“The Opposition has been claiming of alleged corruption in almost every development project we have initiated from railways, roads to hospitals equipment but all these are false,” said the Deputy President.
The Deputy said the Government has put in place proper security measures to restore law and order along the Kerio valley.
He said all communities in the North Rift region were now living in peace because of peace caravan involving leaders from Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo, Samburu and west Pokot.
Deputy President Ruto said the few incidences of crime recently witnessed along the Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet border have been contained.
“It is impressive that elders and youth along the Kerio Valley have now resolved to live in peace among themselves and with their neighbors and concentrate on development activities,” said the Deputy President.
He said the employment of Kenya Police Reservists and the increase in number of security personnel along the valley have greatly helped contain acts of lawlessness in the area.
Cabinet Secretaries Mwangi Kiunjuri (Devolution), Willy Bett (Agriculture), Eugene Wamalwa (Water and Irrigation), Joseph Nkaissery (Interior), MPs John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Regina Nyeris (West Pokot) and Joyce Emanikor (Turkana) were present.
Others were Governors Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Moses Kasaini (Samburu), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Jackson Mandago (Uasin-Gishu) and Inspector General Joseph Boinett.
Mr Murkomen said Jubilee has implemented most of its development projects it promised Kenyans.
“Jubilee will be judged by the report card of what it has initiated for Kenyans when other leaders are just engaging in mere politicking,” said Mr Murkomen.
He said Jubilee leaders were prepared and ready to counter the false accusation against the Government by the Opposition.
By PSCU.