President Uhuru Kenyatta Sunday held talks with five governors from Western as he ended his three-day tour of the region.
Before departing for Kisumu in the morning, the President held a closed-door meeting with governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Moses Akaranga (Vihiga), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) and Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma).
“My Government is now focusing on rolling out the projects we promised Kenyans. We have opened the Lwakhakha border post, launched the tarmacking of Lwakhakha-Sirisia road, which will link Kenya to Uganda and South Sudan thus opening up and boosting business in the region,” he said after the meeting.
He also issued a cheque of Sh300 million to bail out Nzoia Sugar Company.
“We will come back again to launch the construction of Chwele water project, which will be built in partnership with the Korean government. We have started efforts to revive Webuye Pan Paper Mill and we will be discussing the matter with leaders from the region,” he said.
He said his tour of the region was focused on development and not politics.
President Kenyatta also promised to visit and launch projects including hospitals in Vihiga County.
The President further promised to tour Busia where he will lay a foundation stone for the proposed Alupe University, visit the new sugar factory and upgrade
the sub-county general hospital.
The President said he would work with all elected leaders irrespective of their political affiliation to ensure Kenyans benefit from devolution.
And speaking in Kisumu, Uhuru told political leaders to stop spewing hate but instead work together in tackling issues affecting Kenyans.
“We need one another for the progress of this nation,” said Uhuru.
He said he was ready to sit down with any political leader to address issues affecting Kenyans.
“This nation will not be built on insults or negativity, but with close collaboration among leaders across the political divide,” said Uhuru.
NYS programme
The President pointed out that Kenya was a religious nation whose people embraced different denominations such as Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. He was speaking at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground where ACK’s St Stephen’s Cathedral was holding its thanksgiving mass and fundraiser to go towards completion of its sanctuary.
The president contributed Sh3 million towards the construction of the church
Fourth visit
CORD leader Raila Odinga, Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and former minister Raphael Tuju contributed Sh200,000 each while Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma gave Sh300,000.
Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, who also donated Sh200,000, said the intolerance portrayed on social media was a threat to cohesion adding that is has now become unbearable.
His Kisumu East counterpart Shakeel Shabbir told the President to act sternly on corruption while Nyando MP Fred Outa told the clergy to come out and
It was the President’s fourth visit to Kisumu since he was elected on March 2013.
Mr Ranguma asked the President to find time and sit with leaders from the region, saying this would offer a good platform for area leaders to voice their concerns.
“I will meet you next Wednesday to craft a way forward on how we leaders from Kisumu can meet you and share on a number of issues we feel should attract your attention,” said Ranguma.
Uhuru admitted that indeed there are many issues bedeviling the National Youth Service but stated that he was still committed to the programme since it had employed many youths across the country.
-standardmedia.co.ke
Uhuru holds talks with five governors from Western region
