President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nyeri. [Photo/ PSCU]
By PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta today this evening wrapped up his tour of Nyeri County by launching the construction of the historic Ruringu Stadium.
The other highlight of the President's visit was the issuing of title deeds to squatters in colonial villages in Nyeri County as well as one for the stadium.
President Kenyatta said the construction of the stadium is expected to be completed in six months time after which residents will be able to enjoy the services of a modern stadium.
The national Government is revamping the stadium at a cost of Kshs 250 million.
“Once completed, the stadium will help nurture the talents and sporting skills of the youth in this county,” President Kenyatta said.
The President spoke on Thursday when he addressed a huge public rally in Nyeri town after launching the rehabilitation of the historic Ruringu Stadium.
President Kenyatta said the two issues were promises he had made to the people of Nyeri when he presided over the Madaraka Day celebrations that were held in the county for the first time.
At the Kamukunji Stadium, the President issued 3000 title deeds to residents living in the 82 former colonial villages in the county.
“The issuance of these title deeds is proof of our commitment to fulfilling the pledges we make,” President Kenyatta pointed out, saying Nyeri now joins the many counties across the country where residents have been issued with the land ownership documents.
The construction of the stadium is among the various development projects lined up for the region by the Jubilee Administration.
One of the major projects that in the pipeline is the extension of the dual carriage way from Thika to Nyeri and Nanyuki on its way to Isiolo.
Other development projects set for the county include the construction of cancer hospital which will serve as a referral and teaching hospital to be located at Dedan Kimathi University.
Through the Managed Equipment Services (MES) project, the Jubilee administration has already installed specialized medical equipment worth Kshs 1.14 billion in Nyeri County.
Nyeri County Referral Hospital has received intensive care unit equipment, theatre, sterilization and surgical sets, 5 dialysis machines and digital imaging equipment worth Kshs 760 million while Mukurwe-ini County Hospital has received sterilization and surgical sets, and digital imaging equipment worth Kshs 380 million.
At least 69,514 households and 375 primary schools have been connected to electricity in the last four years through the Last Mile project, accounting for more than double the connections done since independence in 1963.
The national Government is also constructing 453.5 KM of roads in Nyeri County at a cost of Kshs 21.3 billion.
Already, 139.5 KM of roads have been completed at a cost of Kshs 6.75 billion and Kshs 14 billion has been set aside for the construction of 304 KM of roads which are at procurement stage while a 10 KM stretch is ongoing at a cost of Kshs 495 million.
During the tour, the President told off opposition leader Raila. Odinga over his attempts to sabotage the August election he knows he cannot win.
The President and Deputy President William Ruto said Raila and his colleagues in the opposition are running scared because they do not have any track record to prove that they care about the welfare of Kenyans.
President Kenyatta said the latest case the opposition has filed in court to stall the election process is part of the scheme to deny Kenyans the right to vote.
Deputy President Ruto lambasted the National Super Alliance (Nasa) leaders for saying that they only have a problem with him and not President Kenyatta.
He asked the opposition to throw in the towel and abandon the August polls in favour of President Kenyatta because it is clear they are not ready for it.
The President and his deputy also addressed students at Dedan Kimathi University and at Nyeri Technical Institute where they said the Jubilee administration has put in place plans to ensure university and polytechnic students will be offered paid internship.
The Government will offer the one and a half years internship in partnership with the private sector.
President Kenyatta said this would enable the students to sharpen the skills they learnt in college as they prepare to either enter the world of employment or venture into business.