A number of governors from the Mt Kenya have dismissed claims by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and his Subukia counterpart Kimani Ngunjiri that President Uhuru Kenyatta has neglected the region.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia, who is the chairman of the Central Kenya Economic Bloc, yesterday termed the remarks by the MPs irresponsible and meant to incite the public against the President.
In a statement, Mr Kimemia said the sentiments bordered on insults to the presidency.
“Allegations that Uhuru has neglected the Central region are false. Each governor in the Central Economic Bloc can testify to numerous projects that have been implemented or are about to be implemented ahead of 2022,” he said.
Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro said many development projects in the county had been initiated by the national government.
Dr Nyoro said there were several projects going on, including the 47km Ruiru-Githunguri-Uplands road, the 26km Githunguri-Kagwe-Kimende road, the western bypass connecting Ruaka through Wangige to Kikuyu and the almost completed Mutarakwa-Gikambura-Thogoto road.
“We have mega water projects lined up, including the Sh24 billion Karemenu II dam and Ruiru II dam in Githunguri. There are also several modern markets under construction in the county, among them Githurai, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Ruiru and Juja. To say that the President is doing nothing for the region is therefore a lie,” said Nyoro.
Nyoro urged leaders busy aligning themselves for political positions to acknowledge the great work the Head of State had accomplished nationwide through the Big Four agenda and the Building Bridges Initiative.
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu also faulted the MPs criticising the President over his development agenda for the region, noting they were not sincere.
Former Cabinet Minister Mutahi Kagwe also warded off the criticism directed at the President.
“Assigning responsibility to the President for the lack of development in the region is unfair. The President does not allocate resources, it is the leaders who have failed to lobby for development in the region,” Mr Kagwe said.
The former senator further asked elected leaders to lobby the Government to clear the monies owed to contractors and suppliers who had gone for months without pay.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi defended the President against accusations that he had neglected the region.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is trying his best. I do not agree with those who say that he has neglected the Mt Kenya region. Uhuru cannot do everything alone,” said Mr Kiraitu.
He told the region's leaders politics of grandstanding and opportunistic rhetoric were not in the best interest of the region.
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“It is so sad to see the many efforts and sacrifices we made to achieve our dream of creating a formidable political party, which would unite all Kenyans and which would be a platform for unity go up in smoke,” said Kiraitu.
He further pleaded with leaders not to allow Jubilee to be destroyed by selfish political intrigues.
(Additional reporting by Allan Mungai and Olivia Murithi)
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