No going back on Mau, says PM

• Raila declares that decision to remove settlers from water towers is final

The decision to remove all settlers from the Kenya’s water towers is final, Prime Minister Raila Odinga declared on Friday.

The PM said conserving the environment was a matter of life and death and the settlers would be removed soon, starting in the Mau Complex which the government would restore to its original state.

“This programme will soon start in the Mau and will be rolled out to other water towers,” he said.

Cannot forget

He was addressing a campaign rally in Bomachoge to drum up support for the ODM candidate in Thursday’s by-election, Mr Simon Ogari.

The PM ruled out meeting former chairman of the disgraced Electoral Commission of Kenya, Mr Samuel Kivuitu, over the disputed 2007 presidential elections.

“Mr Kivuitu is now dreaming of meeting me. Why does he want to see me now yet he was unavailable when I needed him,” he said.

In a recent interview, the former ECK boss indicated that he had made several attempts to meet President Kibaki and Mr Odinga. He claimed he had met the PM twice, but informally.

“He bungled the election and plunged the country into chaos that resulted in the deaths of many Kenyans. This we cannot forget,” Mr Odinga said.

The PM urged youths to participate in afforestation efforts under the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme, saying Sh8 billion had been made available.

He said the government was taking development to all corners of the country irrespective of political affiliation.

“We are all in government and should pool our resources for the benefit of the country,” he said.

In this spirit, he said, the government would tarmac the Ogembo-Egetuki-Suneka road and upgrade the Mesesi dispensary to a health centre.

“We shall also address the shortage of doctors in health institutions in this area and countrywide.”

The PM also touched on the prices of tea, saying the ministry of Agriculture was working to improve them.

He reiterated that every constituency was required to have a model school, a health centre and a market.

There was a near fracas when Narc-K leader, Ms Martha Karua’s campaign convoy was blocked by police at Ogembo town to let Mr Odinga’s convoy pass.

Campaign trail

Ms Karua, on the campaign trail for party candidate Omweno Ombasa, then addressed a hastily convened press conference where she said her party would lodge a complaint with the Independent Interim Election Commission.

“Mr Odinga is here as leader of ODM just as I am here representing Narc-Kenya. There is no reason to give him preferential treatment,” she said.

She also said police had cancelled some of her rallies.

Gucha police boss Richard Ngetich said officers were only controlling traffic.

He also said some Narc-K rallies had been postponed because they were booked at the same venue with those of ODM.