President Uhuru Kenyatta has said that he holds no grudge against the Migori youths who two weeks ago jeered and threw shoes at the presidential dais where he and other dignitaries were seated.
The president spoke during a meeting with a delegation from the county led by governor Okoth Obado.
Obado organised a convoy of MPs, MCAs and residents of Migori to formally apologise to the president over the incident.
Uhuru added that the youths should be freed to be able to take part in the development by the national government and the county government.
Kenyatta further absolved Migori residents of culpability in the incident.
“I do not blame the people of Migori. This was caused by a few leaders who believe we are still in the stone age. I have nothing to forgive, I know the residents of Migori had no problem. Walitukaribisha roho safi (They welcomed us with humility),” Kenyatta said.
The president promised to return to Migori for development purposes.
Deputy President William Ruto who was also at the meeting took issue with leaders alleged to have paid the youths to disrupt the function.
Ruto said the leaders should channel resources to building schools and churches and practise proper politics.
“Migori people are opening a new chapter, a door of political tolerance, a space for development,” Ruto said.
He reiterated that the Jubilee government will work with Migori county for development.
Migori leaders who spoke at the State House meeting commended the president for how he handled the rowdy youths.
Migori senator Wilfred Machage urged the president not to be deterred by the chaos and asked him to go to the county to commission more development projects.
Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno called on the president and the delegation to look past the incident and reactions to it and focus on “productive politics”.
“We are not here to apologize, we are here to thank you for facing the hecklers kama Mwanaume (as a man would),” said Kuria East MP Shadrack Roger Mwita.
The meeting didn’t take place on Wednesday as initially scheduled as the president was meeting Lamu leaders.
– the-star.co.ke
