Uhuru calls for equity in resource allocation

By Lucas Ng’asike

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta concluded his three-day tour of Turkana County urging the pastoralist communities to vote for The National Alliance Government, which would ensure equity in resource allocation.

He wrapped up the tour with a rally in Lodwar Town where he told the residents the Turkana are not “a minority because the census shows that you are more than one million”.

Mr Uhuru told them, “You are a big community” and that they deserve their rightful share of the national cake.

The Gatundu South MP also met with teachers and leaders at Kakuma, Turkana West, during the tour he described as an “eye opener” in the hardships facing the residents.

He reiterated that oil resources in the county are a national resource but it must “first and foremost benefit the residents”.

Energy portfolio

Uhuru repeated he will appoint a Turkana to head the Ministry of Energy portfolio should he take over the next Government.

Kenyatta said his Government would give first priority to locals to manage the oil resources that were discovered in the area.

“Our mandate is to ensure that every Kenyan gets equal share of national cake. But locals where such resources are found should benefit more as a right stipulated in the Constitution,” he said.

Uhuru said he was glad The National Alliance party was enjoying popularity in the region. Assistant ministers Mwangi Kiunjuri and Embakasi MP Ferdinard Waititu accompanied him.

Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi and Nominated MP Maison Leshomo were also present.

In Lokitaung, Turkana North district, Kenyatta emphasised the need for unity saying bad leadership was to blame for the post-election violence. “We all understand the post-election skirmishes that left the country in a blood letting scenario was caused by selfish leaders who sowed the seeds of hatred and left for their comfort zones in Nairobi while Kenyans fought among themselves,” Kenyatta said.

Uhuru asked Turkana North MP John Munyes, who is also a Ford Kenya official, to join him in TNA.