Leaders to President Kenyatta: You are welcome to tour Nyanza

Leaders from Nyanza have extended an invitation to President Uhuru Kenyatta for a development tour of the region.

They said the visit would enable them discuss issues that can transform the economies of the region which, they argued, was lagging behind.

Governors as well as Members of Parliament present at meeting attended by the President in Kisumu on Monday said the visit was long overdue.

Speaking at Uzima University College during the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Archdiocese of Kisumu, the politicians said they would use the opportunity while with the President to chart way forward for growth of Nyanza.

Kisumu Catholic Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth was celebrating 25 years at the helm of at least eight dioceses in the region.

Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor said some of the region’s locked potential could be realised when the leaders hold constructive meetings.

Mr Owuor said the President, working together with Opposition leader Raila Odinga, can make life better for the residents when key flagships are jumpstarted.

“We have a lot of challenges here. You have visited us twice in less than two months and we now want you to organise a stay where leaders can engage you on what we need,” said Mr Owuor.

His counterpart from Nyando, Fred Outa, said there was much that needed to be done through the support of the national government and the Presidency.

'WORK TOGETHER'

The sentiments were supported by Kisumu central MP Ken Obura who said the President needed to take advantage of the reduced political temperatures in the country to meet the people and discuss development.

“We welcome you here anytime. Much as we differ politically, we need to work together in matters of development,” said Mr Obura.

The MP further vouched for political tolerance despite the dissenting opinions on various issues that affect Kenyans.

“When we work together, we can have an easy time when we hit the ground to sell our policies ahead of the 2017 general election,” he said.

Governors Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) said they also needed the President to visit their counties.

Mr Awiti said Homa Bay needed the President and assuring the him of a rousing welcome beyond the one he had experienced in Kisumu.

The sentiment was shared by Mr Rasanga who said Siaya had been waiting for State House to call them with a plan for a visit.

“We have seen you go to places and leave good things. We want our share as residents of Siaya and you are invited to bring what you have always shared when visiting our friends across the country,” said Mr Rasanga.

Two Presidential tours of Nyanza were cancelled in 2014.