President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy President William Ruto and Mumias East MP Benjamin Jomo Washiali, September 30, 2017. [Photo|PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta attended the homecoming ceremony for Jubilee National Assembly Chief Whip Benjamin Jomo Washiali where he pledged to continue his government's transformational development to benefit all Kenyans.
Uhuru, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, said the Mumias East MP holds one of the strongest positions in the Jubilee Party leadership hierarchy.
“You chose him as your MP and we chose him to be our Chief Whip. He is now in charge of more than 200 MPs and is responsible to ensure the government’s agenda always succeeds in parliament,” said the president.
He said he came to Shitoto to celebrate with the residents of Mumias East and show solidarity with Washiali.
Uhuru thanked residents of Mumias East for voting for him in the August 8 election and urged them to give him more votes in the October 26 fresh Presidential election.
“We request you to come out in large numbers and give us more votes on October 26,” said Uhuru.
He pledged that the Jubilee government would continue with its agenda of transformational development to benefit all Kenyans.
“We want to continue with our development programs to build more roads, connect more Kenyans to electricity and modernize hospitals,” said the president at the ceremony held at Washiali’s residence at Shitoto, near Shianda market.
He also reiterated the Jubilee Party’s pledge to roll out free secondary education by January 2018.
Ruto said Washiali had made history by becoming the first ruling party Chief Whip to come from Western Kenya.
He said the appointment of Washiali as Chief Whip showed that Jubilee caters for the interest of all Kenyans.
“Our slogan is Tuko Pamoja and that is what we have done by appointing Washiali to be in charge of more than 200 MPs,” said the DP.
He said Jubilee has also shown that it is a party for all Kenyans by making Ken Lusaka who hails from Bungoma County as the Senate Speaker.
On his part, Washiali said he is grateful for his appointment as Chief Whip and promised that the people of Mumias East will vote overwhelmingly for the President in the October 26 poll.
“By appointing me as Chief Whip you have shown that you value all Kenyans. On August 8 we voted for you and we promise to give you more votes on October 26,” said Washiali.
Earlier in the day, the president and his deputy held a consultative meeting at the Kakamega State Lodge with thousands of leaders drawn from the four counties of Western Kenya.