By DANIEL NZIA
President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked leaders to shun petty politics and focus on development. “Elections are over and it’s time to work together, regardless of party affiliations to change Kenya for the better,” he said.
Uhuru spoke in Machakos after launching the new Machakos City and Investment Programme. He toured the Sh60 million Machakos recreational park before addressing investors.
He was accompanied by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, host Governor Alfred Mutua, several Cabinet Secretaries, MPs and senior government officials.
The president welcomed the ambitious project, saying it would not only change the face of Machakos but also the country. He encouraged other governors to borrow a leaf from Machakos and focus on economic development.
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“Attracting investment and optimising opportunities to improve the lives of our people is a priority of the national and county governments,” he added. He put corrupt public officers on the spot, saying: “This is an era that should be carried down to the county level. The time for change in the manner we handle our public affairs has come and is not stoppable”.
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“Why would you want to stop this kind of project,” posed the president in an apparent reference to Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama who was against him launching the project.
Mr Muthama had accused Mutua of “grabbing” the land and vowed to block putting up the new city on it. He did not attend the function. Uhuru reiterated that his government would work with all county governments in the spirit of the 2010 constitution, adding: “Kenyans need better services, food and employment and this could only be achieved if all leaders worked together”. He highlighted measures that his government is taking to create an enabling environment for investment, which include prudent fiscal and monetary policy, infrastructure and security.
The president announced that the government would soon be tendering for the dualing of Mombasa Highway from Athi River to Konza and Machakos towns to speed up transportation of goods and people between Nairobi and Machakos.
He said plans were at an advanced stage to begin the construction of a standard gauge railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi, and later Malaba, in addition to expand the railway line for passengers to Machakos. Kalonzo assured Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto of his support, saying he will continue playing the role of big brother until Jesus comes.
He asked the Head of State to ensure the proposed Konza ICT Park that retired president Kibaki launched early this year is implemented without further delay.
Dr Mutua said investing in Machakos was investing in Kenya, adding the new city will attract investors and accelerate development. He lamented that the country has lagged behind due to unnecessary bickering among elected leaders, scaring investors away.
“It is wrong for elected leaders to fight through the media when they could simply pick their mobile phones and talk or sit on a round table and consult,” he said. Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka told the president elected leaders in Machakos County had pledged to support the governor.
