Ruto tells Lamu leaders not to oppose projects intended for the county
DP William Ruto chats with a mother who delivered a child at Witu Health Centre in Lamu when he opened a new theatre on August 23, 2016. He asked leaders in the county to stop opposing development projects in order to avoid scaring away investors. PHOTO | DPPS
What you need to know:
- Ruto said leaders should concentrate on development projects that eradicate poverty among locals.
- He assured locals that the coal-fired power plant and wind power project will change the course of Lamu’s economy.
- The DP said the government will continue implementing such projects since they will open up Kenya’s northern frontier.
- Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded Mr Ruto for the tour of the county which he termed as crucial to the development of Lamu.
Deputy President William Ruto has asked leaders in Lamu County to first seek information concerning proposed investment projects before opposing them in order to avoid scaring away investors.
Addressing locals at Mokowe in Lamu on the last day of his tour on Tuesday, DP Ruto also criticised leaders who use misinformed propaganda to sway the public’s opinion concerning mega development projects intended to benefit the county.
Instead, Mr Ruto asked the leaders to be good public opinion shapers, particularly concerning issues with the development of the region.
He said instead of leaders engaging in activities that could scare away investors, they should concentrate on development projects that eradicate poverty among locals.
He said the government’s plan is to ensure all development projects intended for the county are a success.
POWER PROJECTS
He assured locals that the intended Sh200 billion coal-fired power plant and the Sh21 billion wind power project will change the course of Lamu’s economy and that of the entire country.
The coal plant projects is expected to generate 1,050 megawatts of electricity once completed.
The wind power plant which is being implemented by Kenwhind Holdings Company in conjuction with World Bank is to be set up at Baharini in Mpeketoni and it is expected to generate 90 megawatt of electricity.
Mr Ruto said measures have been put in place to ensure such projects are not only safe and non-hazardous but also of great help to the host counties and the nation.
He said the aim of establishing such projects is to ensure the country’s power generation capacity is increased in order to cope with the demands of the new Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor project, proposed industrial parks, resort cities, the standard gauge railway (SGR), among others.
OPEN UP FRONTIER
Mr Ruto said the government will continue implementing such projects since they will open up Kenya’s northern frontier to more trade and investment opportunities.
“The Government is keen on initiating projects with positive impact on the country’s economy and improves the lives of its people.
“Today, I want to assure Lamu residents that the government is responsible and will ensure that the health and safety of the citizens is considered as we establish development projects like the coal plant and the wind energy projects,” said Mr Ruto.
On his side, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded Mr Ruto for the tour of the county which he termed as crucial to the development of Lamu.
Mr Ruto was accompanied by MPs Julius Ndegwa (Lamu West), Athman Sharif (Lamu East), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Senator Lenny Kivuti (Embu), Lamu Woman Representative Shakila Abdalla, Governor Timamy and his Tana River counterpart Hussein Dado.
