Don’t fail me, President Uhuru pleads with his home turf in race for numbers

The President pleaded with the locals who have no voters’ cards to register, saying that would give them a chance to elect good leaders.PHOTO: COURTESY

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pleaded with the residents of his populous home county to register for the August 8 General Election in large numbers.

Speaking when he toured parts of Kiambu County, Uhuru said the forthcoming election was “no joke” and that it was therefore important for all those eligible to ensure they are listed as voters.

The President pleaded with the locals who have no voters’ cards to register, saying that would give them a chance to elect good leaders.

He said the county was still lagging behind in terms of voter listing and called on those yet to register to do so.

“Please, I urge you, particularly the youth, not to fail me by refusing to list as voters,” President Kenyatta said in Gatundu town.

He warned locals not to complain after the August 8 election should bad leaders be elected because they failed to register as voters.

“Bad leaders will be elected by people who refuse to vote. Do not list as a voter just because of a certain individual. Do it because of your future,” he said.

In a move aimed at discouraging voter apathy in the region, the President urged locals to turn up in large numbers and vote for him.

While addressing a crowd in Ruiru town, Uhuru downplayed the notion by residents that he had neglected the region, saying he had to first court other areas outside his home turf through development projects.

“I had to first reach out to the other areas through development projects so that I can bring them closer for us to get victory come the elections,” said the President.

There has been disquiet in the larger Mount Kenya region with residents complaining that the Jubilee government had neglected them, even though they overwhelmingly voted for it.

The Head of State said that the Jubilee Party recruitment drive be halted to pave way for voter registration, terming the voter listing more “critical”.

He said the drive would resume once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) voter listing was over next month.

On Kiambu politics, he said he had no preferred candidates as the residents know the leaders they want.

“I can see Governor Kabogo and (MP Ferdinand) Waititu here. You are the people who will decide. Make sure you listen to their policies and then make an informed decision. I will work with those who will be elected by the people,” he said.

President Kenyatta also toured Ruiru town, Kiganjo, Mang’u, Gatukuyu, Thika town, Makongeni, Juja and Githurai.

He was accompanied by Kabogo, Waititu, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, MPs Esther Gathogo (Ruiru), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Jude Jomo (Kiambu Town), Kiragu Chege (Limuru), Kimani Ichungw’a (Kikuyu), Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North) and Woman Representative Ann Nyokabi.

The political leaders did not address the crowds.