Stop rocking the Jubilee boat now, President tells coalition's governors

President Uhuru Kenyatta (second left) after he launched the Chemususu Dam yesterday. With him is Deputy President William Ruto (back right). [Photo: Joseph Kipsang/standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has hit out at governors allied to the ruling coalition who he accused of fighting his government.

Speaking yesterday in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, President Kenyatta accused the unnamed governors of launching a political onslaught aimed at discrediting the Jubilee administration.

He said some of the county bosses had failed to focus on their mandate to improve the livelihoods of their people to engage in endless political competition with the national government.

"Gavana, najua tunafanya kazi pamoja na wewe lakini kuna wakora kati yenu. (Governor, I know we are working together but there are bad characters in your midst)," the President told Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi.

The President also challenged those opposing the formation of Jubilee Party to chart their own political path.

"Those making the loudest noise were on our necks in the 2013 General Election pleading for our endorsement and after they crossed the bridge, it looks like they have forgotten everything and now are busy attacking the same people," he told a crowd in Eldama Ravine town.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, a fierce critic of the Jubilee leadership, has already launched his political party dubbed the Mashinani Development Party of Kenya.

In Meru, Governor Peter Munya has indicated he will form his own political party following plans to dissolve the Alliance Party of Kenya. However, Munya has stated that his new party will support President Uhuru's re-election.

Deputy President William Ruto stressed the President's position on the Jubilee Party, saying dissolution of parties affiliated to the governing coalition is unstoppable.

"Are you people of Baringo still with the Jubilee or you have other secret arrangements? Do you want a disciplined and hard-working government or empty rhetoric and endless political supremacy competitions?" Ruto posed.

The President who was in the region to commission the Sh5.5 billion Chemususu Dam and launch a water distribution project said those with ideologies similar to Jubilee's had no reason not to support the formation of the new political party.

"The current government is working as a team, unlike the Nusu Mkate (Grand Coalition Government) that had endless political fights. Here, we do not have TNA or URP because our mandate is to serve the people of Kenya diligently," said the President.

He urged Jubilee's political opponents to allow them to fulfil the promises they gave to the electorate in the last election, saying they (the opponents) will one day have their time to explain what they have done for the people.

Defending his foreign trips, the President he used the tours to source development funds. "It is interesting when some people, especially from the counties, rubbish such trips and when we succeed in negotiating for development projects, they are the first to plead for consideration," he said.

The leaders said the country had started to enjoy the fruits of peace and asked elected leaders to use their political platforms to unite Kenyans regardless of their tribal backgrounds.

The two leaders flew to the area in two helicopters and landed at Chemususu Primary School. They were then driven to Chemususu Dam, which the President commissioned.

The 12 million-cubic-litre dam is among five key Vision 2030 flagship projects that will serve more than 350,000 residents of Eldama Ravine, Mogotio and Rongai constituencies.

The President said the Sh3.2 billion water distribution plan that he launched will be completed in two years, with main pipes covering a total of 250km. More than 30 water storage tanks will also be constructed.

He said that another Sh50 million had been set aside for immediate distribution of water in Ravine town and residents surrounding the dam ahead of the overall distribution being undertaken by a Chinese firm, Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau.

Apart from constructing the distribution system, the company also won a tender to construct another treatment plant.

Ruto announced the Government's plan to launch a water distribution project at Kirandich Dam in Kabarnet as well as construction of the dilapidated Eldama Ravine-Kabarnet and Mogotio-Lake Bogoria roads.

"Previously, we had been faced with some challenges but a contractor has already moved to the site. Other roads in the county with similar problems will soon be worked on," assured the DP.

Others present included Cabinet Secretaries Eugene Wamalwa (Water and Irrigation) and Phyllis Kandie (Labour and East African Community), MPs Asman Kamama (Tiaty), Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South), Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central), Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), William Cheptumo (Baringo North) and Grace Kiptui (Woman Representative). Parastatal bosses Julius Kones, Musa Sirma and John Kitilit were also present.

Wamalwa told residents that it was only Umaa dam in Kitui and Badasa Dams in Marsabit that has not be completed.

He said Chemususu, Maruba in Machakos with a holding capacity of 2.5 million cubic metres of water, and Kiserian, which can hold 1.2 million cubic metres of water, are in place.

Cheboi pleaded with the President to consider constructing a sewer system in Ravine town, but was cut short by the deputy President for having a long list of project requests.