President Uhuru Kenyatta continues with working tours away from Nairobi

President Uhuru Kenyatta (second left) and his deputy William Ruto (left) during a visit in Garissa. [Photo: PSCU]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has intensified his working tours, visiting regions to launch development projects.

Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto have of late been spending much of their time on the road. They have been traversing the country for different duties, but also notably pushing for the support of the Jubilee agenda, as they prepare to launch their re-election bid.

The President had indicated at the start of the year that he would be moving out of Nairobi, to inspect and launch projects in counties, a promise the Jubilee leaders have been seen to fulfill through their numerous visits across the country.

On Saturday, the Jubilee leaders concluded their three-day working tour of North Eastern, Uhuru's first visit to the area since he was elected in 2013. More county visits appear to be in the offing for the Jubilee leaders.

Today, the President is expected in Eldoret where he will preside over the pass out parade for the Kenya Defence Forces recruits.

In a statement the Department of Defence said: "The event will be presided over by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces of the republic of Kenya."

Until yesterday evening, it was not clear whether the President will have other duties in North Rift, Ruto's home turf.

rotational basis

Other "out of town engagements" awaiting the Presidents personal attention includes next week's Madaraka Day national celebrations which will be held in Nakuru. It is the first time that national celebrations will be held out of Nairobi, after Uhuru promised to hold them in different counties on rotational basis.

A State House official who sought anonymity as he is not allowed to address the media confirmed that Uhuru and the entire government, will be heading to Nakuru next week on Wednesday for the national day celebrations.

"We are holding the national celebrations in Nakuru and the President will lead Kenyans during the event. It is also another duty that the President will be holding out of Nairobi," the official said.

At the moment, rehabilitation works are going on at Afraha Stadium where the national celebrations will be held, with Governor Kinuthia Mbugua assuring Kenyans that preparations will be completed on time.

After the national celebrations in Nakuru, the President will be expected to tour lower eastern (Ukambani), an area considered to be an opposition zone.

A statement released by State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu indicated that the tour, which was previously scheduled for this month, was now set for June 10 to 13.

The meeting was announced in a meeting with leaders from lower eastern. Some 12 MPs attended the region.

"The President and the leaders agreed on new dates for the visit, starting with June 10 in Machakos, June 11 and 12 in Kitui and June 13 in Makueni. The Kitui itinerary will include an Interdenominational church service," Mr Esipisu said.

"The President looks forward to this visit, which will allow him to meet leaders in the area, interact with citizens, and review and support the Ukambani development agenda."

During his month-long working tour of Coast earlier in the year, where he stayed at Mombasa State House, President Kenyatta said he would be operating more from outside Nairobi.

And true to his words, after leaving Coast, the President in February was in Central Kenya where he stayed for five days at Sagana State Lodge, where he met leaders from around Mt Kenya and attended Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri's thanksgiving ceremony at Nanyuki Stadium.

On Valentine's Day, Uhuru joined students, teachers and stakeholders of Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls for a church service.

On Saturday, he wound up his three-day tour of North Eastern, where he toured Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties. The President, who ended his visit with a public rally at Garissa Primary School, urged residents to be vigilant and to co-operate with security agencies in maintaining the prevailing peace and security in the region.

The visit saw the President inspect and launch various development projects in the three counties. Uhuru said the Government was working round the clock to ensure adequate security, adding that the number of security officers had been increased and modern equipment procured for them to cope with security challenges.

The President's message was especially directed at locals who have for long suffered incidents of insecurity, and which at one point appeared to be Jubilee's major challenge.

During the visit, the Head of State said no development could be realised without peace and urged local leaders and residents to be at the forefront in the efforts to make North Eastern secure.

He reiterated that every Kenyan has a right to be issued with an identity card but asked locals to ensure the process was not misused.

Uhuru launched the 135km Nuno-Modogashe highway, the first road that will link Mandera, Wajir and Garissa. The road is being constructed by the national Government at a cost of Sh8 billion.

"The national government also has plans to use a further Sh8 billion to extend the road from Modogashe to Wajir town by the end of the year," the President said, adding that his administration would spend a further Sh800 million to improve roads in Garissa and to transform it into a vibrant trade hub.

On Friday evening, Uhuru launched the Garissa power sub-station, which was implemented by the national government at a cost of Sh3.5 billion, which made Garissa the first town in North Eastern region to be connected to the national grid.

"This ensures that Garissa has sufficient electricity that is reliable, meaning that even large industries can now set up shop in the town because of the reliable energy," the President said.

"Once these industries are built, our youths will get jobs and these are the developments we want."

He promised to visit Garissa before the end of the year to open a water and sewerage project that is being built by the national government at a cost of Sh800 million.

"This will be the first mega water and sewerage project to be built in North Eastern," the President said.