Kibaki starts Kisumu tour
President Kibaki is welcomed by Kisumu residents upon his arrival in the lakeside city ahead of his three-day Nyanza visit. He is with Prime Minister Raila Odinga . Photo/DAN OTIENO
What you need to know:
- President Kibaki visiting Kisumu for the first time since the elections.
- He is lined up to launch several projects, including a key road between Homabay and Kendu Bay towns; a hydro-electric project and the upgrade of the Kisumu Airport.
President Kibaki has arrived in the lakeside town of Kisumu ahead of his three-day tour of the region.
The President landed at the Kisumu Airport at 10.45 am and was received by Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He then boarded a military helicopter and headed to Kendu Bay.
His entourage came in five military helicopters at the start of the tour seen as symbolic in the healing process following the political animosity that rocked the country in the aftermath of the 2007 elections.
The elections resulted in Mr Odinga accusing Mr Kibaki of rigging the presidential poll, which triggered riots that left 1,100 dead and more than 300,000 displaced. The chaos were only quelled after former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan negotiated a power sharing deal that saw Mr Kibaki keeping the presidency and Mr Odinga being appointed prime minister.
During his tour, President Kibaki will commission a key road linking Kendu Bay and Homabay towns designed to unlock high potential fishing and rice investments in the area. He will later launch the Sondu Miriu hydroelectric project funded by the Japanese government and also kick-off a project to upgrade the Kisumu Airport to enable it handle international flights.
The President was accompanied by ministers: Prof George Saitoti (Internal Security), James Orengo (Lands), Dr Naomi Shaaban (Special Programmes), Beth Mugo (Public Health), Otieno Kajwang (Immigration), Dalmas Otieno (Public Service) and Fred Gumo (Regional Development).
Roads minister Franklin Bett was said to be at the site where the commissioning will take place.
Kisumu Town East MP Mr Olago Aluoch said that the visit was a major indicator to the ordinary citizens of the need to reconcile.
Some ministers and dignitaries spent the night in Kisumu and left by road for the venues of the meetings.
The president is due to meet the Luo Council of Elders on Friday evening.
