Uhuru’s bag of goodies for Western

President Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy William Ruto spent the last two days in Western region in a major offensive to sell the Jubilee government’s agenda to locals.

The tour started on Friday and Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto led a high-powered government delegation in commissioning several major roads in Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.
They also announced that a Sh1.5 billion Mumias water project will be inaugurated soon.

The President held meetings with MPs, members of county assembly and Muslim leaders from Western province and pleaded with them to support the Jubilee government.

MPs who attended the meetings maintained that the President’s tour focused on development only and had nothing to do with politics.

“What we discussed with the President was purely development matters. The President came to commission major roads in Western region, including the Kisumu-Kakamega-Kitale Road, Lurambi-Navakholo-Bungoma Road and Sigalagala-Butere Road, among other projects,” said Lugari MP Ayub Savula.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, who also attended the meetings, added that the tour was planned two months ago as a follow-up to the promises the President and Mr Ruto had earlier made.

“The President’s visit was not an after-thought, it was planned two months ago and all leaders from Cord or Amani were notified. The President had promised during my homecoming party that the government will construct the Lurambi-Navakholo-Bungoma Road. I am grateful he has fulfilled that promise. We will support the government so long as it brings development to our people,” he said.

Independent sources, however, revealed that the tour was part of a major campaign by Jubilee administration to endear itself to the region which largely supported Cord and Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani coalition during the last elections.

The sources hinted that high-profile Cabinet appointments could be in the offing, mainly targeting Mr Mudavadi and New Ford Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa. Mr Mudavadi did not attend the meeting as he was in Mombasa but Mr Wamalwa was present.

The move to bring on board the two Amani coalition leaders, the sources stated, was borne out of fears in government that Mr Mudavadi could crossover to Cord.

Mr Mudavadi recently threatened to end the post-election deal between the Amani and Jubilee coalitions, fuelling fears that he could be considering a deal with Cord instead.

Process of talking
Cord co-principal Moses Wetang’ula confirmed that he was in the process of talking with Mr Mudavadi over a possible alliance.

“I have met Mudavadi and we have agreed to sit and talk. Both Mudavadi and myself appreciate the value of bringing our people together. I don’t think he will do himself any justice by hanging around those Jubilee fellows,” said the Bungoma Senator.

Mr Mudavadi said he was not aware that the President was meeting political leaders from Western province to discuss any political alliances. “It was a religious meeting to the best of my knowledge. It had nothing to do with us. I’ve not even thought of it (working with Jubilee),” Mr Mudavadi said.

Mr Wetang’ula maintained that the Opposition was neither invited nor notified of the President’s tour of the region.

In an apparent response to Cord’s call for a national referendum, Mr Kenyatta while speaking in Kakamega town said Kenyans went to the elections last year and made their choice which should be respected.

He said the Jubilee government would serve all Kenyans irrespective of their culture, religion or political affiliation.

He said the government would ensure cane farmers access subsidised fertiliser to lower the costs of production.

“We will work with your county leaders to see how we can revive local industries and initiate other development projects aimed at improving your living standards,” he told residents.