Moses Kuria continues criticism of Uhuru Government

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria (pictured) at the weekend continued with his criticism of the Jubilee administration for allegedly neglecting Mt Kenya region.

Mr Kuria said residents were yet to reap the gains the Government had promised despite them voting for it overwhelmingly, twice.

“The region lags behind in terms of roads, electricity and water. It is time the Government put more effort on it,” he said.

"Although the residents still support the Jubilee Government, it is time for it to reciprocate," the controversial MP added.

Speaking in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, on Saturday during the burial of John Mwangi Kagema, founder CEO, Equity Bank and chairman of Enashipai Resort, the MP said that it was time for the Government to improve the status of people living in the area.

"We need a fair formula for resource allocation. There has been this misconception that maize is the staple food of this country. Far from it. In many parts of Coast and Northern Kenya, it's a rice nation," Kuria said.

Privileged areas

He said that farmers in Nyandarua have been shortchanged and left to feed livestock with excess food due to lack of agro-processing plants.

“There are no roads in Nyandarua to deliver these products to the markets in Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Thika. The water consumed in Nairobi mostly come from Aberdare, the huge chunk of which is in Nyandarua," he said. 

The MP regretted that most of the counties in the Mt Kenya region, including Nyandarua, were categorised as privileged areas - hence allocated fewer resources by the Commission on Revenue Allocation - yet the residents were poor.

"That is why we should review this process after the census so that resources can be shared equally. Our people should not suffer anymore," he said.

Kuria at the same time took issue with Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia for failing to provide water to residents despite the county's water going to Nairobi.

Meanwhile, Jubilee leaders continued to clash over Kuria's remarks on President Uhuru Kenyatta's relationship with Central region despite his apology over his statement.

During a funeral service for Peter Theuri, father of Iria-ini MCA John Theuri in Othaya yesterday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri clashed with local leaders when they supported Kuria's sentiments.

The leaders among them Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru came out to defend Kuria, noting that he was courageous to express his opinion.

He, however, blamed leaders from Mt Kenya for failing to focus on development projects that would benefit their people.

"The President came to Nyeri County and opened the Karatina Market and Nyaribo Airstrip, while he issued certificates in Kiambu, this means the leaders pushed for these development projects they want to be launched," He said.

Gathiru supported Kuria insisting that he had been misquoted.

“Marsabit governor and the whole of northeastern region should not have come out to insult one of us. You should first address the issue of census in your area and be fair to all regions not favouring some part of the country,” said.

Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi noted that developments in Nyeri were minimal and there was need to add more projects.

Kiunjuri, however, noted that every leader’s agenda is based on their legacy.

“The President is doing well in our region. He has taken over development from where retired President Mwai Kibaki left,” he said.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said Othaya had benefited from the establishment of a Level Six hospital that will in future be a cancer centre.

[Additional reporting by Lydiah Nyawira and Cedrin Kagwiria]