Wrangles lead to change in President Uhuru's visit plan

The President was scheduled to land at Magwagwa Primary School in Nyamira county in the morning but last-minute communication from State House indicated that he was to land at Igonga Primary in Kisii County.PHOTO:COURTESY

The visit of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, to the Gusii region was marred by confusion.

The President was schedule to land at Magwagwa Primary School in Nyamira countyin the morning but last-minute communication from State House indicated that he was to land at Igonga Primary in Kisii County.

Residents who had camped at Magwagwa shopping centre had to wait until 2pm, when Uhuru left Kisii for Nyamira.

Security personnel and Jubilee leaders in Kisii led by Senator Chris Obure were caught off-guard and had to rush to Igonga to receive the Head of State.

Mr Ruto also made a surprise stop in Borabu, where he commissioned the Kijauri-Nyansiongo-Raitigo road in the absence of the President. Initially, the commissioning of the road was not in the programme. 

A senior security office in Kisii told The Standard that the change of programme was done after wide consultations.

However, Jubilee leaders in Nyamira County are said to have differed over the venue of meetings and who was to represent them during the public rallies.

"Some people in the party wanted us to have a leaders' meeting despite having been warned of the President's tight schedule that couldn't have allowed that," said one of the senior leaders who recently defected to the party.

Wrangles among Jubilee leaders in Nyamira were evident and could have led to the change of the programme. Aspiring senator, Joseph Kiangoi, took a leading role in Nyamira and introduced other leaders.

Some leaders who have been in the party for long feel ignored by defectors who have taken centre stage in local Jubilee politics.

The President promised to spend more time with Kisii residents.

"We have come to thank you for your support and invite you to join our party, Jubilee. Lets not dwell on the past but focus on how to unite and improve living standards," said Uhuru. He will be in Kisii county for his second day of visit.