VP pledges master plan for arid areas

• Kalonzo promises to roll out programme to create a vibrant national economy

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka on Saturday took his campaigns to Kajiado County where he promised to roll out a programme of action to transform arid and semi-arid areas and create a vibrant national economy if elected president next year.

The master plan would involve improving livestock production, and finding markets abroad for meat products, enhancing tourism, ensuring that mining and mineral exploitation benefit the locals as well as conservation of the environment.

The VP was speaking at Ilbisil Primary School playing grounds in Kajiado where he addressed a public rally.

Mr Musyoka urged youth to get national identification cards saying the Cabinet had decided to waive the Sh300 payment imposed on those wishing to get a new ID.

“This requirement had disenfranchised many youths who could not be registered as voters or even get loans from the banks to start income generating activities,” Mr Musyoka said.

He was accompanied by MPs Johnson Muthama (Kangundo), Silas Muriuki (Imenti North), Shakila Abdallah ( nominated), Daniel Muoki (Mwala), former minister Mutua Katuku and several civic leaders.

The leaders endorsed Mr Musyoka’s presidential candidature saying his political record is impeccable and that he was the only candidate who can ensure the country’s peace and unity.

Mr Musyoka urged school administrators to embrace the culture of holding dialogue with students to reduce misunderstandings that lead to strikes and destruction of property.

He said the current ugly incidents of school strikes being witnessed in the country cannot be tolerated.

Addressing students of Ilbisil Girls’ High School after he officially opened the school’s science laboratory, Mr Musyoka advised them to utilise their time for studies and shun any issues that distract their focus.

“Your future is in your hands, and if you utilise your time in school properly, you will definitely reap the benefits,” Mr Musyoka said.

At the same time, Mr Musyoka re-affirmed his stand to work with like-minded leaders and political parties to form a formidable political force that will win the forthcoming General Elections in the first round of the poll.

He announced that within the next few weeks the group that comprises those with the intention to form a strong political alliance will meet and chart the way forward ahead of the elections.

“Within the next two weeks, we need to come together and decide how to go about it and unite. Some of us in the race have signed a protocol to have a unifying vehicle under a political alliance to ensure a clear win in the next General Election,” he said.

The VP spoke on Friday night during the Ameru Cultural Night held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

The Mwingi North MP appealed to Kenyans to maintain a peaceful electioneering period and co-exist in harmony regardless of their political persuasions or ethnic background.

He commended the Ameru community for welcoming all presidential contenders to sell their visions in their region regardless of their political parties.

“Let us avoid the fiasco that we had in the last General Election. We have witnessed signing of peace accords between various communities in the republic and this is encouraging and it is the way to go if we are to realise peace and national reconciliation,” he added.