Uhuru to leaders: I’m always willing to talk

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday said he has always been willing to sit down with all leaders, including governors, to define the country’s development agenda.

President Kenyatta said that the Jubilee Government has formulated a development strategy that will facilitate rapid infrastructural development, including increased electricity connections, road construction, and the streamlining of the health sector.

“Soon you will see the government launching a programme to streamline the health sector and improve health facilities,” the President said.

The President was speaking during the homecoming ceremony for Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru, during which he and other leaders praised Ms Waiguru for her outstanding work.

President Kenyatta said women hold strong positions in his Cabinet and they were not just picked for the purpose of filling slots.

Besides Waiguru, the President cited Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed, Judy Wakhungu (Environment and Water), Phyllis Kandie (Tourism and East Africa Community), Rachael Omamo (Defence) and Charity Ngilu (Lands).

Ms Waiguru thanked the President for entrusting women with powerful positions in his government.

“You didn’t just pick women to satisfy the gender balance ratio but you gave us some very powerful positions,” she said.

Cabinet Secretaries who attended the ceremony included Henry Rotich (National Treasury), Michael Kamau (Transport), Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum), Adan Mohamed (Industrialisation and Enterprise Development), Judy Wakhungu (Environment), Fred Matiang’i (ICT), Prof Jacob Kaimenyi (Education) and Hassan Wario (Sports).

At the end of the function, President Kenyatta presented to the school a bus, desks, and sanitary towels.

UPGRADE ROAD NETWORK

The President also promised the residents of the area that the road network will be upgraded soon as part of a wider government plan to tarmac at least 10,000 km of roads this year.

After leaving Kiamugumo, the President addressed a roadside rally in Embu town where a huge crowd gathered.

President Kenyatta said the economy could not bear the demands of the governors and Cord leaders who are pushing for a referendum to compel the central government to allocate 45 per cent of annual budgets to the devolved units.

He said: “Last year we gave counties Sh190 billion and this year we gave them Sh226 billion. The only way we can give you cash is to increase taxation which we don’t want to do.”

“Pesa ni ile ile, hakuna kwenye tutatafuta ingine (We are getting money from the same sources; there is nowhere to get more).”

He added: “Even as a central government, there are things we want to do but the budget cannot allow us. If you know the tree where we can pluck money, tell me so that I get you more.”

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale urged Kenyans to support the government to achieve its development goals, and dismissed calls for a referendum as “a waste of time”.

“There is no need to continue politicking every time. Kenyans are the ones who cast their votes in favour of Jubilee and not IEBC. In 2007 when the Cord leader was defeated by Mwai Kibaki he led campaigns against the Electoral Commission of Kenya. Now he is calling for the disbandment of IEBC because he once again failed to clinch the presidency,” Mr Duale said.

He asked leaders elected on the Jubilee ticket to either support government or quit.