Uhuru Kenyatta apologises for poor Salgaa-Rongai road

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday apologised for a poor road before addressing residents during the second day of his tour of Nakuru.

During his campaign tour of Salgaa and Rongai trading centres, President Kenyatta came face to face with poor road infrastructure when his motorcade was forced to move through a potholed four-kilometre road that connects the two centres.

The President apologised to the residents of Rongai for the poor road and promised that it would be fixed.

“I am a resident of Rongai and this road is a big let-down and I therefore apologise and I promise I will make sure it is fixed,” said the President as resident accepted his apologies with jubilation.

He added: “Count on me on this. I will not even send my deputy to come and launch the repairs. I will come personally.”

During the tour, President Kenyatta announced that the Standard Gauge Railway will be extended to Western Kenya next year.

The President said his government was keen on making sure SGR reaches many parts of the country to spur development.

“SGR will be extended to Eldoret, Kitale and other parts of Western region to spur growth in agriculture and other business ventures,” said Mr Kenyatta at Salgaa trading centre.

SECOND TERM

As he appealed to the residents to give him a second term, Mr Kenyatta enumerated the many achievements his government has accomplished in the last four years.

“What Jubilee administration started in 2013 like connecting rural communities to the national grid, health services upgrading and infrastructure development has transformed the lives of many Kenyans and that is why I plead with you to give me a final term,” he said at Salgaa trading centre, urging his supporters to shun the opposition.

Mr Kenyatta said that today, nearly five million Kenyans are connected to the national grid, a situation that he said had improved the living standards of millions of Kenyans.

He said that starting next year the cash transfer to the elderly will be increased by an additional Sh1.4 million per month so that more senior citizens enjoy the award.

Mr Kenyatta blasted Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto for joining the opposition to block the construction of the Sh30 billion Itare Dam.

“Mr Ruto should not join hands with opposition to block such a noble project that is aimed at alleviating the water shortage in Nakuru,” said Mr Kenyatta.

SECURE POSITION

Mr Kenyatta said his government helped Mr Ruto secure the position of chairman of the Council of Governors but has now turned his back against the Jubilee Government.

“Many governors wanted that seat but we supported him. Now instead of working with us he has joined people who have no direction,” said Mr Kenyatta.

In Keringet, Deputy President William Ruto said Jubilee was not asking for votes for the sake of it but was doing that to make sure the administration completes the projects it promised the people of Kenya.

Mr Kenyatta said his main preoccupation was to serve and unite Kenyans. “My government’s agenda is to unite and serve Kenyans,” said Mr Kenyatta.

In Molo town, Mr Kenyatta urged the residents to maintain peace and turn up in large numbers to vote for Jubilee.

He announced that in his second term, mothers will be given NHIF cards at no cost after delivery and will access health services with their babies for one year.

“We will follow Kibaki footsteps of free education and give our children free secondary education from Form One to Four,” he said.

He dismissed the opposition’s claim that it had a solid 10 million votes, saying it is a tribal gimmick that will not work as his government embraces all the 45 million Kenyans. He was accompanied by Lee Kinyanjui, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, Susan Kihika and Ms Liza Chelule.