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President Kenyatta says industrialisation heart of next phase of growth

President Kenyatta at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Thika/FILE

MAUA, 24 June – President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Saturday that rapid industrialization was at the heart of the next phase of Kenya’s development and would see millions of more people lifted out of poverty.

On the second day of campaigns in Meru County, the President said the Jubilee administration had laid a firm foundation for growth, and it involved growth that left no one behind.

The President and Deputy President William Ruto were accompanied by a host of local leaders on the campaign trail. They spoke ahead of the launch of their re-election manifesto on Monday.

They said billions of Shillings of investments in energy, roads, clean water, irrigation, and healthcare provided a condusive environment for investors to plough cash in the area and other parts of the country.

The President spoke of measures taken to cushion miraa farmers in Meru, including legally making miraa a cash crop, but added that real value lay in value-addition.

The President and his deputy wrapped up their visit their visit with a major announcement that Maua will be transformed into a major city.

The two leaders who spoke when they addressed a huge rally at the Maua Stadium said plans have been finalized and funds allocated to revamp the town to have facilities required for a big city.

President Kenyatta said the roads in the town will be upgraded at the cost of Sh1.1 billion to prepare the town for its transformation into a major city.

He announced that Sh700 million has already been set a side to construct a modern sewerage system for the town which is the hub of the miraa growing region in Meru County.

The Head of State also issued a directive for the upgrade and modernization of the Maua Stadium by next year.

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“We want Maua to become a city that will become a hub for industries so that the youth do not have to struggle to get jobs,” said the President when he spoke after launching the construction of  Maua town roads.

The Deputy President said the new plan will turn Maua into a central hub for the region and boost the economy of the region.

“We will make Maua a city like Nairobi and we have already allocated Sh1.1 billion to construct roads in the town and  Sh700 million has also been allocated for a sewerage system,” said the Deputy President.

The two leaders said the Jubilee Government has given a priority to improve the infrastructure network in Meru County and has funded the construction of 350 kilometers of roads.

“Today, we launched the construction of the road linking Laare to Isiolo and it will take you 30 minutes to reach the Isiolo International Airport as opposed to the four hours it takes now,” said the President.

The Deputy President said the planned transformation of Maua is part of the Jubilee Government’s agenda to industrialize the country in order to create more jobs and wealth for Kenyans.

He said the investment the Government has made in establishing technical institutes in all constituencies is aimed at supporting the plan to industrialise the country.

The DP said the Jubilee Government also plans to reduce unemployment by providing paid internships to graduates from universities and technical institutes.

The paid internships, to be implemented by the Government in partnership with the private sector, will equip graduates with the right skills for the job market.

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The President and his deputy started their tour on Friday and have visited all major settlements in the. County.

During the tour, the President launched the issuance of more than 100, 000 title deeds for residents Meru town, Maua town and Sirimon Settlement Scheme. The issuing of title deeds will be extended to all parts of the County.

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