President Uhuru Kenyatta has affirmed that the Jubilee Government’s transformative agenda will not be derailed by the propaganda spread by the opposition.
Citing flagship projects implemented across the country since 2013, President Kenyatta said the government’s development record speaks for itself.
“Compared to before 2013 when there were only 2.3 million Kenyans connected to electricity, today more than 5.3 million have electricity. We have issued a record three million title deeds in the short period we have been in office compared to only one million that had been issued since independence,” Uhuru said.
He added: “We are building a modern railway line, we are constructing roads all over the country, providing free maternity services in public hospitals and paying exam fees for all students among many other initiatives to lift the lives of Kenyans.”
President Kenyatta was speaking Friday during the Joyful Women Organization’s thanks giving ceremony and annual general meeting at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi.
The Joyful Women Organisation (JoyWo) is a table banking NGO whose patron is Deputy President William Ruto’s wife, Rachel.
The Head of State said the government is focused on ensuring that the lives of all Kenyans are lifted, emphasizing the need for national unity and shunning divisive politics propagated by the opposition.
“Let us join hands in ensuring that we move our nation forward and ensure that all Kenyans enjoy economic freedom and progress,” President Kenyatta said.
He also asked the opposition to stop tarnishing the good work the Jubilee government is doing for the country and instead give credit where it is due.
On gender equality, Uhuru said for the first time in the country’s history, women have been given prominent Cabinet positions, including the Defence, Environment and Foreign Affairs dockets.
He commended Mrs Ruto for complementing the government’s efforts to improve the lives of Kenya through the Joyful Women Organization that is making a big difference in the lives of women and families, especially in the rural areas.
The organisation – which started in 2009 – has grown by leaps and bounds, now boasting of a Sh2 billion revolving fund.
During the occasion, President Uhuru also launched the JoyWo’s 2017 – 2021 Strategic plan.
Deputy President William Ruto commended the table banking initiative and urged women to take advantage of the 30 per cent government procurement allocation to boost their businesses.
“Do not be intimidated. This is your opportunity to work with the government which does not discriminate any Kenyan,” the DP said.
On the fight against corruption, the DP said the government will not relent in its effort to eradicate the vice.
“We want all the institutions charged with fighting corruption to do their job without fear or favour,” Ruto said.
Other speakers included First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Rachel Ruto and Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.
Uhuru, Ruto, the First Lady and Mrs Ruto received awards in recognition of their efforts to lift the lives of Kenyans while JoyWo was awarded for being the best NGO.
--PSCU