Forget politics, concentrate on development

Rhetoric and political brinkmanship have no place in Kenya today; not when there is so much to do. Yet the lower levels to which Kenyan leaders have sunk while pushing sectarian interests detrimental to the development are evident in the way leaders conduct themselves in public. The claim about an assassination plot against the deputy president has not helped matters. While leaders should seize moments when development projects present the chance to unify the people they lead, some use such chances to spread discord.

Rain fed agriculture is no longer viable, thus, focus should be shifted to irrigation to boost our agricultural production with the aim of attaining food security for the millions of Kenyans. As such, the launch of the Sh261 million irrigation project at Gatitu in Nyeri County should excite not just the locals, but leaders as well. Unfortunately, the occasion was sullied after political differences between Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and the area MP Ngunjiri Wambugu played out and disrupted the event. At play, were the Tangatanga and Kieleweke politics that can only divide Kenyans.

It is unfortunate that leaders allow themselves to be divided by petty politics and lose focus when they have the opportunity to make Kenya a better place in line with their pre- campaign promises. Leaders should listen to President Kenyatta’s constant exhortation to shun divisive politics and concentrate on development matters. Indeed, the politics of division detract from the presidents wish to realise the Big Four Agenda.