Airport and pyrethrum revival top on locals’ wish list as Uhuru visits Nakuru for Madaraka

Roads, construction of an airport, water and revival of the once lucrative pyrethrum farming are among key issues to be presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta in a wish list prepared by residents and leaders of Nakuru.

It is hoped that the memorandum addressed to the President will be presented after he presides over the 53rd Madaraka Day celebrations.

Pyrethrum farmers in Nakuru want the Head of State to extend the Sh1 billion gift he gave to miraa farmers in Mt Kenya East to them to help revive the farming of the crop.

The farmers, through the Pyrethrum Growers Association, said Kenyan pyrethrum is in high demand in European markets and should be accorded better treatment.

“We call upon our President to address the pyrethrum issue. When pyrethrum farmers will be giving out their score card for the elected leaders come 2017, one of the main scores will be how the leaders handled its revival and we shall judge them very harshly,” said Justus Monda.

Unlike miraa, which was banned in the UK and the Netherlands two years ago, pyrethrum was wilting due to lack of financial support, he said.

BUILD AIRPORT

Residents also want the construction of a proposed airport to be hastened.

In the past, there has been controversy over where the airport should be located, even as investors push for its speedy construction to boost flower exports and tourism.

The proposed airport now remains a pipe dream as suitable land for it is yet to be identified, more than five years since the plan was proposed.

Some leaders, led by URP youth leader Hassan Hajji, have been pushing for its construction on a 700-acre piece of land in Rongai constituency, while others want it located in Pipeline, on the outskirts of Nakuru Town.

The Rift Valley Council of Elders, through chairman Gilbert Kabage, has asked the President and his deputy William Ruto to address the thorny issue of land.

“We expect them to address matters likely to be a source of chaos as we approach the 2017 elections. Let the government move quickly and end the conflicts,” Mr Kabage said.

LEADERS HAVE FAILED

The elders said local leaders had failed to end the disputes, adding that some were involved in land grabbing.

The elders also want the President to streamline the payment of stipends for the elderly, money they they claim is being misused.

Meanwhile, businessmen and hoteliers in the county have recorded booming business as Nakuru hosts Madaraka Day celebrations.

The Nakuru Business Coalition said most hotels in the town were fully booked.

Hoteliers, led by James Gichuru, said most hotels had registered nearly full bookings since last week.

“Since early last week, we have had all our outlets booked and we are looking forward to more,” said Mr Gichuru.

He welcomed the decision to hold national public holidays on a rotational basis in county headquarters, saying this would boost local businesses.