Uhuru offers Sh200m for repair of stadium as he winds up Rift tour

President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre), his deputy William Ruto (left) and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto during a meeting in Kericho, Tuesday.  [PHOTO: DPPS]

By Steve Mkawale and Nikko Tanui

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto wound up their tour of the Rift Valley with an assurance that the Jubilee coalition was committed to delivering on its election pledges.

Addressing hundreds of supporters, who braved heavy rains at the historic Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho County yesterday, the two leaders told the mammoth crowd that they have a stake in the Government and cautioned against politicians seeking to weaken the Jubilee alliance.

“You gave us the mandate to serve you and we are today assuring you that we will deliver on our promises. We will not fail you but you should also remain united and ignore those leaders out to destabilise the Government through propaganda,” said Uhuru.

The assurance came in the wake of discontent among a section of leaders in Rift Valley who felt that voters in the region were given a raw deal in terms of employment in Government and award of contracts. Uhuru challenged leaders to work together saying the roles of the national and county governments were complementar

“The national government is not in competition with governors. Our roles are complementary and my government will work with them for the sake of development,” he said.

Uhuru announced that the Government has set aside Sh200 million for the rehabilitation of Kapkatet Stadium. The money is three times more than what he had pledged in the run up to the last General Election.

The President and his deputy noted the stadium was important to the Kalenjin community.

The President stressed the importance of unity among leaders in South Rift region, saying the area was one of Jubilee’s political strongholds.

Ruto said the Jubilee administration was committed to serving all Kenyans and will remain faithful to its promises to people. “Our mission is to transform this country. The time for politicking is over. We are ready to serve Kenyans because we have the mandate of the people,” said the deputy president.

The two leaders were accompanied by MPs, senators and governors from the region. Among those present were Senators Kithure Kindiki, Gideon Mbuvi, Wilfred Lesan and Liz Chelule (nominated). Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso were also present.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and his Senate counterpart Prof Kindiki said the Jubilee administration supports governors’ threat to sack striking health workers noting their grievances could be addressed while they are at work.

Duale said the Government will not be shaken since it enjoys the support of majority of Kenyans and that those inciting doctors will be dealt with. “We support governors on the doctors’ strike issue. They must end the strike or they will be sacked. The issues they are raising of constitutional and cannot be addressed through industrial action,” said Kindiki.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto said governors will not back down on their stand on the on-going strike, adding counties have started replacing those who have refused to return to work.

Livelihood

“In my county, I have already recruited 100 health workers to replace those who are on strike.  We are not going to wait and watch our people suffer over issues that can be sorted while doctors and nurses are at work,” he said.

Earlier during a meeting at Litein DC’s residence, the governors called on Uhuru to form a task force to resolve issues relating to resettlement of families living in Mau forest.

Ruto, who is the chairman of the Governors’ Council, his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony and Narok’s Samuel Tunai, said the task force would also address management of the water tower.

“Conservation of the forest complex are matters that need to be addressed with urgency between the national and regional governments, as it is a source of livelihood for millions of people downstream,” Ruto said.

He added logging in the Mau complex must be addressed and county governments must have a vote in the management of the natural resource.

“People from the four counties, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru and Narok will conserve the forest once they know they have a stake in it,” said Ruto.