Leaders agree to end wrangles and work together for the sake of development

Muranga, Kenya; Leaders in Murang’a have resolved to shun divisive politics  and work together to speed up development.

Led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, the leaders who included Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura and Woman Representative Wanjiru Chege, the leaders said this was the only way to unlock the region’s unexploited potential.

They spoke at General Ihura Stadium in Murang’a town as they led hundreds of residents in marking Madaraka Day on Sunday.

“We have resolved to ignore cheap politics and concentrate on development,” said Iria.

Ms Chege said leaders were duty bound to work together for the sake of residents.

Workable strategies

Kembi said the county administration had so far demonstrated through its various initiatives that it had workable strategies to spur development in the area.

“For a long time, Ihura Stadium was bare, but now the pitch has grass – a testimony that Iria has plans to rebuild the county,” he said.

Politicians in the area have been embroiled in supremacy battles in the recent past, with each leader seeking to appear to be closer to President Uhuru Kenyatta than his or her rivals.

Meanwhile, a multi-million shilling eye centre will be established at Kenol Market in Murang’a County.

The Murang’a government has advertised for rental space at the busy market centre to set up the facility that will save locals from having to travel to Kikuyu and Nairobi for specialised treatment.

Governor Iria said the Sh10 million facility was an initiative of the county government and was expected to start operations in a few months.

“The facility will also serve residents from the neighbouring counties,” Iria said.

Distribute drugs

The governor also called on leaders in the region to ensure that medical facilities in their localities had enough drugs.

He said the county government was recently forced to suspend a pharmacist who failed to distribute drugs to hospitals, forcing patients to buy the medicines from private clinics.

“After visiting rural health facilities, I discovered that the drug stores were empty but the pharmacist could not explain why he had not distributed them,” said Iria.