Deputy President William Ruto tours Lamu County

Deputy President William Ruto is welcomed to Mokowe in Lamu by residents where he launched Kenya Power's last mile connectivity and water projects. Ruto has cautioned leaders against politicising development projects that are meant to change people's lives. (PHOTO: REBECCA NDUKU/ DPPS)

Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned leaders against politicising development projects that are meant to change people's lives.

Mr Ruto said leaders should desist from engaging in bad politics that sabotage the country's economy by scaring away investors and donors.

"Some people believe in politics of impoverishing the masses so that they can lead or remain relevant. We should do away with this and support projects that help Kenyans," Ruto said.

The Deputy President said the Government will continue implementing the projects.

"The Government is keen on initiating projects with positive impact on the country's economy and improve the lives of its people and not to affect their health," said Mr Ruto.

He was responding to claims by Lamu Women Representative Shakilla Abdalla that the Lamu coal power plant was harmful to the lives of the people.

Ruto said before the project was given the green light, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) gave an impact assessment report.

"As a responsible Government, we will look at every clause of the report to ensure we implement a project that can impact positively on the lives of people," the DP said.

Speaking at Mkunguni grounds in Lamu County on Monday, the Deputy President said the coal plant will open up Kenya's northern frontier as well as increase the country's power generation capacity.

He was accompanied by MPs Julius Ndegwa (Lamu West), Shariff Athman (Lamu West), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Lenny Kivuti (Embu) and Governors Issa Timamy (Lamu) and Hussein Dado (Tana River).

Ruto said instead of leaders engaging in activities that would scare away investors, they should concentrate on development projects that eradicate poverty among the populace.

He said leaders should not use their positions to satisfy their own selfish interests by opposing projects.

"It should be clear that the Government initiates projects to power the engines of the economy and improve the lives of its people. As leaders we should not be a stumbling block to the success of such projects," he said.

The Lamu coal plant project aims to generate additional 950 megawatts of power to the national grid and create hundreds of jobs for the youth once complete.

Mr Timamy praised the Jubilee Administration for bringing together all its affiliate parties to form the new Jubilee Party ahead of the next General Election.

The Governor who was elected on a United Democratic Front (UDF) and which is one of the parties that will fold next month to form the Jubilee Party, said he would seek reelection using the new party come 2017.

"We are impressed at the way the Jubilee Administration is initiating development projects across the country as well as engaging in activities that promote the unity of all Kenyans while the Opposition is busy engaging in empty rhetoric," said Mr Timamy.

Mr Mwashetani asked the Coastal people to chat their own political path ahead of next year's election.

"As Coastal people it is our time to chat our own political destiny and support the Government that has demonstrated its commitment to solve our problems including issues of land," he said.

Mr Ndegwa said the expansion of the Lamu Port is a clear indication that the Government was determined to transforming the lives of the people in the area.

"We greatly appreciate the huge projects being undertaken by the Government in this County. This shows that it is committed to addressing the unemployment challenges facing the youth," said Mr Ndegwa.

The Deputy President also asked leaders and residents to cooperate with law enforcement officers in the area in a bid to contain terrorism activities.

"This region had in the recent past witnessed drastic drop in the number of tourists visiting the country because of terrorist activities, "he said.

Mr Ruto said cooperation between police and local communities was paramount to realization of peace across the country.

He urged leaders to desist from issuing inflammatory statements aimed at undermining the ongoing efforts in the fight against criminal activities.

Earlier, the Deputy President opened the Lamu Town Jetty that was constructed at a cost of Sh 230million.