Drama, development agenda, calls for justice mark Mashujaa Day fete

Counties marked Mashujaa Day with most outlining their development plans.

In Kilifi, Governor Amason Kingi asked the government to form a public inquiry into the death of Coast freedom hero Ronald Ngala.

Mr Kingi said history books do not tell the truth about Mr Ngala’s death yet the people of Kilifi were still yearning for the truth.

Addressing residents at Karisa Maitha Grounds in Kilifi Town during the Monday celebrations, the governor claimed that initial investigations into the 1972 death did not add up.

Mr Ngala, aged 49 years then, died in a car crash along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. He was travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa when a bee flew into the car and distracted his driver who lost control.

In Doldol Town, Laikipia County, guns were drawn as two MPs almost fought after a remark following an announcement that Deputy President William Ruto’s would tour the area.

Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel and his nominated counterpart Sarah Lekorere almost went physical as their supporters fought until the MPs’ bodyguards pulled out their guns to disperse them.

OPPOSED RELOCATION
The two leaders had finished addressing the gathering when Mr Lempurkel made a remark that offended Ms Lekorere who rose and confronted him. They were separated by deputy commissioner Kamau Ndung’u and the police boss.

In her address earlier, Ms Lekorere had opposed the relocation of a proposed polytechnic from Doldol Township to Mouwarak.

She said Mr Ruto would tour the area this weekend to commission the construction of the polytechnic. In turn Mr Lempurkel said he too would bring ODM leader Raila Odinga to the area even if he would not be having any goodies.

After finishing his address he started distributing some goodies to his supporters, but went back to the microphone and said a “certain family perished because they made the woman the head of the family,” a local, Ms Loise Kimiri said.

In Vihiga, County Commissioner Boaz Cherotich announced that a high court will be set up at the cost of Sh40 million.

Speaking at Municipal Grounds in Mbale, where Governor Moses Akaranga, his deputy Mr Caleb Amaswache and other county official were present, Mr Cherotich said the contractor was already on site to begin construction of the court funded under the Vision 2030 flagship projects.

ECD PROGRAMMES
Early Childhood Development took centre stage in Kisumu with Governor Jack Ranguma pledging to restructure the county’s ECD programmes.

Mr Ranguma said 18 classrooms were being constructed in various wards with interviews for nursery school teachers also scheduled.

Further, leaders in Kisumu united in welcoming the President ahead of his visit this week.

In Kakamega, County Commissioner Arthur Osiya warned of a group feared to be radicalising the youth as Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the county had struck a deal with Germany to help boost dairy farming.

In Siaya, Governor Cornel Rasanga threatened to sue the government for failing to compensate the 12,000 persons displaced by the 2007/08 post-election violence.

Celebrations in Homa Bay were marred by heavy rains and absence of elected leaders.

County Commissioner Naphatally Mungathia expressed his disappointment saying the politicians had set a bad precedent to residents.

PESA MASHINANI
In Kericho, Governor Paul Chepkwony drummed up support for the Pesa Mashinani campaign driven by the Council of Governors.

Speaking at the Kericho Green Stadium, Prof Chepkwony said that other than the referendum, he was also open to talks to increase funds to the counties.

“I am firmly in the Jubilee Coalition and nobody should entertain any other idea. However, I am of the view that governors need more funds to perform better and we do not have to go to a referendum and I would be happy if Members of Parliament can pass a law devolving more funds,” he said.

The county boss also hit out at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) for refusing to surrender the management of certain classes of roads to county governments as stipulated in law.

“Counties should be given the responsibility of managing forest resources, since we believe it will go a long way in ensuring that those living around forests are allowed to cut down mature trees and sell them for profit,” he said.

Reports By Kazungu Samuel, Muchiri Gitonga, Moses Odhiambo, Benson Amadala, Maurice Kaluoch, Patrick Langat, Derick Luvega, Nelcon Odhiambo and Timothy Kemei