Jubilee must deliver development for our people now, Kanu leaders say

West Pokot Senator John Lunyangapuo, Kanu national chairman who is also Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and Baringo County Speaker William Kamket join dancers during a thanksgiving ceremony in Tiaty. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

Kanu will continue to press the Jubilee government  to do more to improve the welfare of people in the Rift Valley, the party's chairman, Mr Gideon Moi, says.

“Those busy dismissing our political direction are currently enjoying themselves and occupying lucrative political positions, while those they represent are languishing in abject poverty, said Mr Moi, who is also the Baringo Senator.

"Our people have suffered enough and any amount of political intimidation will not be entertained,” said Mr Moi  during a public meeting in Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County.

While the Rift Valley region voted overwhelmingly for President Uhuru and Deputy President  William Ruto in the 2013 General Election, the Jubilee administration has often be accused of not doing enough for local people.

West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo has said more people from the region should be appointed to senior government positions. He said that although Kanu has made it clear that it has no problem with the President and that the party had resolved to support his bid for another term,  the party's support will come with conditions.

“It will not be for free. Our people must first be appointed to senior positions in government. For the last few years, they have suffered and any calls to wait a little longer will not be accepted,” said  Prof Lonyangapuo.

The Jubilee administration found itself at the centre of mounting criticisms about its failure to deliver on campaign promises in the run up to the Kericho senatorial by-elections  in March. During this period,  Jubilee made several pledges to commission development projects in the region, say experts.

"Following the Kericho by-election the top leadership has turned its focus to the region. The move will benefit residents,” said Dr Philip Chebunet.

Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso has steadfastly defended Jubilee’s development record and said many of the election pledges by the Uhuru Kenyatta administration will be fulfilled before next year's polls.

“The roll out of  more roads, water and other key projects have been curtailed by a lack of funds,” noted Ms Laboso.

It would appear that criticism directed at the Deputy President and the Jubilee administration during the  Kericho by-election  triggered some reaction.  Recently, the DP announced that the government would offset a Sh1.1 billion tax levy on tea after farmers complained that their earnings had declined.

Dr Chebunet says DP Ruto should expend more energy uniting leaders from the region rather than fighting Jubilee critics.

 “The Rift Valley region is fully behind the DP irrespective of Jubilee's development record. With the termination of the International Criminal Court cases it will be difficult for other leaders to sway the region from Jubilee,” he said.

Dr Chebunet says  the move by the DP to extend an olive branch to Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto had won him more friends in the Rift Valley. “DP Ruto stands to benefit if the region remains united; this is why his to move to mend fences and work with Isaac Ruto will increase his support in the region," Dr Chebunet noted.

Besides the problems faced by team farmers that have partly been triggered by the high cost of fertilisers and low bonus payments, Kericho residents also asked the government to make good its pledge and give a Sh150 million grant to the Technical Institute, and construct the Sh40 million Kapkatet Modern Stadium.

In Kericho County, residents of Tablotin trading centre in Belgut  have complained that a road project commissioned at the height of the Senate by-election had stalled immediately the election fever died down.

In Narok County, the government had pledged an additional Sh3 billion for the construction of the Maasai Mara Road, saying the Sh1 billion that had been set aside in the 2014-2015 financial year was inadequate.

In the North Rift, maize farmers have been grappling with poor maize prices and substandard fertilisers distributed through the government subsidy programme supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Whereas residents and a section of leaders have criticised Jubilee’s development record in the region, works on a number of roads, water and agricultural projects are ongoing.