The President, who started his stopovers on Haile Selassie Avenue, cited what he termed as a deteriorated business environment coupled with harassment of city traders under the current County Government led by ODM’s Evans Kidero/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 9 – President Uhuru Kenyatta kicked off a tour of Nairobi Thursday with calls for residents of the capital city to register massively as voters and elect a Jubilee Governor during the August General Election.
The President, who started his stopovers on Haile Selassie Avenue, cited what he termed as a deteriorated business environment coupled with harassment of city traders under the current County Government led by ODM’s Evans Kidero.
“This city has a great deal of potential but the problem is the majority do not vote,” President Kenyatta said.
He urged all Jubilee supporters to cast their votes in Nairobi, in a bid to help Jubilee candidates stave off the Opposition.
He was accompanied by tens of aspirants led by Nairobi gubernatorial candidates Peter Kenneth, Mike Sonko and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru.
“Why should we go to vote in the village while your work and home is in Nairobi? “President Kenyatta asked.
Many informal city traders have accused the County Government of favouritism and harassment by county askaris.
But the President told hundreds of city residents that the solution was in their voter’s card.
“Vote for a Jubilee Governor …you have suffered under an ODM County Government so give chance to us and you shall see how things will change,” he said.
The President specifically challenged the youths to register as voters so that they can participate in the upcoming polls.
The President said the present and the future of the country belongs to the youth and they should step up to take an active role.
“The youths are always there during campaigns but they don’t vote,” the President lamented.
He said the youth make up about two-thirds of the Kenyan population and that means that they have the power to put in office leaders who care about their interests.
“Refusing to register to vote is not rebellion. Refusing to register is actually surrendering,” the President stated.
He said the youth should register in large numbers and vote for leaders who will not be tribal or corrupt; and who will create opportunities for business and employment.
Thereafter, the President visited Jerusalem Estate, Uhuru Estate, Umoja, Kayole, Njiru, Mwiki, Kasarani and Kahawa West.
In all the places, it is only the President who addressed people saying the “rest will find their own time and come on their own to ask for votes.”
He reassured all the Jubilee party aspirants of a free, fair and transparent nomination exercise.
“It is you who shall decide who will be your candidates,” he said.
On Friday the President will tour Nyandarua County and on Saturday he will be in Nakuru County.
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