KISUMU COUNTY: A group of Kisumu youth and business people allied to the Jubilee coalition now want President Uhuru Kenyatta to preside over the opening of the Kisumu Agricultural Show that commences this week.
Kisumu Youth and Business Association (KYBA)'s calls come amid a heightened tension between the region's leaders and the President's Jubilee coalition that culminated in the Saba Saba rally whose resolutions included a demand for a referendum.
Members of KYBA, who campaigned for The National Alliance (TNA) candidates in last year's elections, fear that recent political developments could force Uhuru to avoid the region altogether.
In a press conference in Kisumu, Charles Atyang' Atyang', who spoke on behalf of the group, said during his visit to Kisumu, the President should create time to meet them and discuss the region's development, economic growth and politics that have since dragged the region behind.
Atyang' said the President has failed to meet them despite having stood by him in a Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) stronghold.
"Mr President, the difficulty in reaching you has left us feeling socially and politically isolated much as we know your Government feels the same of us," said Atyang'.
Last year, the President skipped the Kisumu show after political tensions following the disputed general elections.
The group defended the President against claims that he has failed in dealing with many issues affecting the country as claimed by the CORD.
"The Government is just in its second year and cannot dismantle the culture of tribalism, nepotism, sluggishness and corruption that has bedevilled the country for decades," said Atyang.
The group distanced itself from calls for a national referendum stressing that they will work with the Government of the day to bolster development in the county.
KYBA Organising Secretary James Kirunda said as youth, they will not be used as a shield against personal insecurities for some of the leaders.
"We will not remain frozen in opposition politics that has turned out to be a salient characteristic in the history of our people," said Kirunda.
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