Eldoret, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta’s promise to return soon to the North Rift with his deputy William Ruto signals that the simmering discontent in the region has attracted the attention of State House.
The President made various stops to address the public on his way from Moi Barracks to the Eldoret airstrip on Wednesday and announced plans by his government to revive stalled development projects in the region.
Uhuru said he and his deputy would tour the North Rift for one week.
“I will come back with my deputy and Government machinery to ensure that vital projects are swiftly undertaken,” he said.
Among the projects, he said, was completion of Kipchoge Keino Stadium, establishment of an Eldoret by-pass, completion of the stalled Ziwa-Eldoret road and improvement of Rivatex Company.
Speaking by phone to The Standard yesterday, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter lauded the President’s planned visit to the North Rift. Mr Keter has been critical of Uhuru’s leadership style.
He said the visit would help strengthen public confidence in the Government.
Empty promises
Keter said the public had grown tired of empty promises, adding that he would support any development projects initiated by the Jubilee government.
Uasin Gishu Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairperson David Songok said the President was welcome in the region.
He said the planned construction of a by-pass would help end the traffic nightmare in Eldoret town and speed up development in the region.
“We have no issues with Uhuru but we are worried about Ruto’s silence when senior officials from the region are replaced in unclear circumstances,” he added.
On Wednesday, the President insisted that his visit would be crucial in ensuring that the textile industry was revamped.
“We want to improve the working of the textile company to the extent that there will be enough clothes for all Kenyans so that the constant buying of ‘mitumba’ is put aside,” he said.
He maintained that his relationship with Ruto had not been affected by the recent squabbles. “We are dedicated to working for the betterment of our country. ‘Macho ya chura haiwezi kuzuia ng’ombe kunywa maji’ (A frog’s eyes cannot prevent a cow from drinking water),” he said.
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His sentiments come a week after a section of MPs allied to Ruto’s United Republican Party accused the DP of remaining silent on issues affecting them.
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