I will work with all Kenyans, President Uhuru tells Western leaders

            FROM LEFT: Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, Amani coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi and President Uhuru Kenyatta. [PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAKWA/STANDARD]

By STANDARD TEAM

Leaders from Western region pitched for positions in the Jubilee Cabinet as President Uhuru Kenyatta made a second visit to region since his election.

Leaders, mostly from the Jubilee team, pushed for appointments in government during a well-attended ceremony to mark 25 years since the passing on of Moses Mudavadi.

Yesterday, the President skirted around the jobs debate and instead promised to serve all Kenyans irrespective of their party affiliations.

“Those asking to be included in Government are missing the point as the national government was for all Kenyans irrespective of how each region voted,” said Uhuru.

Speculation has been rife since the beginning of the year over a reshuffle of Government to bring Mudavadi on board.

The President has however, dismissed the claims as rumours, saying that those talking about it should be asked to substantiate.

“I want to urge all leaders to unite as the election period is over. Elections are one way of identifying our leaders and after that, we unite to develop the country,” Uhuru said.

He urged area leaders to stop feeding Kenyans on empty words but rather come together and find ways of initiating development projects.

He said Kenyans would not gain anything from continued fighting and bickering from their leaders.

He asked leaders clamouring for positions to end their differences and come up with projects that they want accomplished by the Government.

Uhuru urged them to emulate the late Mudavadi for his selflessness and clear development agenda.

Speaking at the same function, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi who delivered the message of former President Daniel Arap Moi to the family, told leaders demanding Cabinet positions to get their priorities right.

“Many here have talked of unity but the most important issue is to vote as a bloc and that is the reality,” he said and reminded them that President Uhuru is where he is because of the unity of his people.

Gideon, who was responding to calls from Senators Amos Wako (Busia) and George Khaniri (Vihiga) said the Luhya will only earn respect the day they discover the power of their united vote.

“Unite and vote as a bloc so that we can come here and also beg you for jobs,” he said.

Among the MPs who were asking for Government jobs to go to people from the region was Lugari’s Ayub Savula who reminded the President that he had given him a list to consider.

“I came to State House and gave you a list of 22 professionals from the community for you to appoint them in your Government. Please consider them,” said Mr Savula.

Largest tribe

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri told the President that the Luhya are the second largest tribe in Kenya who should be considered although they did not vote for him.

The ICC case facing the President and his deputy William Ruto also featured after it was reported in the media that former Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo had claimed diplomats pushed for the cases to take place and that the Waki Commission had very little evidence.

Former Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa told the gathering that if what he read in the print media was true, then the ICC should ensure that justice is done without further delay.

Most leaders who spoke raised concern over the high cost of living in the country and asked the national government to intervene.

“During your campaign you promised that your digital Government will lower the cost of living but that is not the case today,” said Khaniri.

He told Uhuru that the price of goods and services was too high, while learning in secondary school was becoming a preserve of the rich.

Mr Khaniri lamented that many parents will not be able to educate their children in secondary schools because principals had increased fees from the approved Sh18,000 to between Sh80,000 and Sh100,000 a figure that was beyond the ability of most parents.

“I have heard your Cabinet Secretary for Education Jacob Kaimenyi order that school fees charges be reduced but we want action not mere words,” Khaniri said.

Stories by ?By LUKE ANAMI , ERIC LUNGAI and GRACE WEKESA