On development, President Kenyatta said the Jubilee Government has implemented and is still implementing the pledges it gave to the people. Photo/PSCU.
The President asked the opposition to appoint its members to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament to engage in the dialogue on the electoral body, saying Jubilee has already picked its team of 11 members.
“It does not matter who the commissioners are. We will go to the people for they are the ones who pick leaders,” President Kenyatta said.
The Head of State was speaking today after attending an inter-denominational church service at Kitui High School as he wrapped up his visit to the Lower Eastern counties of Kitui and Machakos where he inspected and initiated development projects.
Deputy President William Ruto said the Jubilee Coalition agreed to negotiate with the opposition on the issue of IEBC because it has the interest of the country at heart.
“Kenya is bigger than all of us. We ask the opposition to come to the table and stop giving conditions,” the Deputy President said.
But the Deputy President emphasised that the negotiations must be guided by the Constitution that is the supreme law of the land.
President Kenyatta also warned against tribalism, saying the vice was dragging the country back.
The Head of State observed that at independence, Kenya was at par in development with the Asian countries of Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore – that came to be known as the Asian Tigers. But when tribal politics took over, Kenya got a beating in terms of growth.
On development, President Kenyatta said the Jubilee Government has implemented and is still implementing the pledges it gave to the people.
“Households are being connected to power. By next year, 70 per cent of Kenyans will have electricity,” the President said.
Kitui Governor Julius Malombe said dialogue solves problems and thanked President Kenyatta for facilitating the appointment of a select committee to discuss with the opposition the issue of IEBC.
The Kitui Governor also thanked the Jubilee Government for a Ksh65 billion water project from Thwake Dam that will supply water to the counties of Kitui, Machakos and Makueni.
He also applauded the national Government’s plans to tarmac the Kibwezi – Mutomo – Kitui – Mwingi road.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana announced that he will invite Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka when President Kenyatta visits Makueni County.
“We are eagerly waiting for a conversation with the President and the Government,’ Prof. Kibwana said. “We know you will bring prosperity to Makueni as you are doing in the whole country.”
He said the residents of Makueni have issues and they will be discussed when the President visits the county in a few weeks.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua called on leaders to abandon politics of hatred and embrace development.
On the protests by the opposition, Dr. Mutua said the people of Ukambani want development and have no time for “throwing stones” and “inhaling teargas”.
In his sermon, Kitui Catholic Diocese Bishop Anthony Muheria appealed to all Kenyans to embrace the word of God to overcome the challenges facing the country.
The clergy led the prayers for peace, unity and stability in the country.
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