Machakos governor unveils outfit to foster unity, development

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua is congratulated by his supporters after officially launching the Maendeleo Chap Chap movement, which he said will offer political and economic transformation in the country. PHOTO: DAVID GICHURU/STANDARD

KENYA: Machackos Governor Alfred Mutua launched his political outfit, which he promises will foster development and unity in Ukambani and beyond.

Mutua said Maendeleo Chap Chap Movement was unstoppable. The governor said he was deeply concerned about lack of water and food in Ukambani, which he attributed to poor leadership.

“It is out of this suffering that I came by the dream to start the movement which will be a replica of Noah’s ark,” said the Governor, amid cheers.He pledged to implement development projects in water, health, roads and education sectors among others.

The event at the Machakos Kenyatta Stadium was attended by about 50,000 residents from all parts of the county. Also present were MPs and MCAs from Ukambani.

The governor said he would popularise the movement across the country and bring the community closer to the others in a bid to achieve national unity and development.

Mutua used the opportunity to outline his achievements in the last three years and announced future development programmes.

NEGATIVE POLITICS

He said the 80 county government ambulances have boosted response to emergencies. Mutua noted that his government has drilled 205 boreholes and 106 dams in the county.

Mutua claimed his political detractors are plotting to remove him from office, and that at least Sh56.5 million has been poured to destroy him politically by enemies of his achievements.

He claimed that his opponents have lined up political rallies to discredit his county government’s achievements. “Tunajua ya kwamba Sh56.5 million zimepangwa zitafute njia za kumuondoa Alfred Mutua kwa ofisi yake kwa sababu anaaraibu hewa za siasa za Ukambani na Kenya kwa Kuleta maendeleo ya kuwasaidia wananchi (We know that Sh56.5 million has been set aside to find means of removing Alfred Mutua from office because he is standing in the way of Ukambani politics),” he claimed.

He told off his detractors saying he is “a seed that is ready to germinate and grow when buried”.

Mutua said those who are fighting him will hurt the electorate. “It is not me they will finish but you the people,” he added.

He accused his opponents of fanning negative politics that do not add value to the electorate: “The tragedy in Kenya today is that we are obsessed with negative and backwards politics that have rendered us poor.” Mutua further hit out at the Opposition and told them to give President Uhuru Kenyatta a chance to work for Kenyans.

“He (Kenyatta) has set his agenda and we have to give him a chance to carry it out and then we can hold him to task on it,” he said adding that, “however, in Kenya, you would think the elections are next week from the rhetoric we hear and see every day. Everyone across the political divide appears to be insulting each other. This surely, is not good for our people.”

He said some politicians were obsessed with plotting the downfall of others at the expense of development. The governor challenged the electorate to hold their leaders to account before they re-elect them in 2017.