Residents of Western Kenya will be expecting President Uhuru Kenyatta to fulfil pledges made to the region in his previous visits.
Uhuru is expected in the region on Thursday to preside over Kibabii University graduation ceremony where he serves as chancellor.
The President’s visit in the region will coincide with that of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, who is expected to attend a delegates meeting at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on the same day.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe said residents expect a bagful of goodies from the President.
“Locals including leaders have high expectations ahead of the President’s visit. We expect that he will start some of the projects he promised the community,” said Wangwe.
He cited construction of the Lurambi-Navakholo-Musikoma, Ibokolo-Shianda-Malaha, Kakamega-Webuye roads as some of the projects the President promised.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said the Head of State would tour Webuye Pan Paper mill to ‘switch on’ the factory after presiding over the graduation ceremony.
The factory closed its doors in 2009 and rendered hundreds of locals jobless.
The factory, which the Government sold to Rai Group of investors at a cost of Sh900 million, is key in Jubilee Party’s bid to woo the region ahead of the 2017 elections.
Washiali said Jubilee leaders in the region would request Uhuru to stay longer to popularise himself and the party.
On Raila’s visit, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is also ODM deputy party leader, said the planned meeting would bring together party delegates and supporters from Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties.
Oparanya said the meeting has been arranged by regional ODM leaders.
“We expect delegates and aspirants for various posts, including the presidency – if anyone would wish to challenge Raila for the top seat on an ODM ticket,” said Oparanya.
He said the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and election board will attend and sensitise supporters on nomination and elections rules.
Raila is expected to use the meeting to cement his popularity in a region that overwhelmingly voted for him during the 2013 elections.
-standardmedia.co.ke
