Summary
- The President used the occasion outline his achievements and root for his re-election while hitting out at the opposition.
- He singled out the government’s electrification programme that has connected 23,000 schools and millions of homes.
- He asked lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to ensure that residents living in Nyeri colonial villages get titles within three weeks.
Kenya on Thursday marked 54 years of self-rule, for the third time, outside the capital Nairobi.
President
Kenyatta led the celebrations at Kabiru-ini stadium in Nyeri and took
the opportunity to urge peace as the country enters the campaign season.
Kenya is scheduled to hold a General Election on August 8, with Mr Kenyatta defending his seat against seven others hopefuls.
The President used the occasion outline his achievements and root for his re-election while hitting out at the opposition.
He
cited the completion of Standard Gauge Railway, free maternity,
electrification of schools and modernisation of hospitals as some of the
achievements of his Jubilee government.
Though
opposition leader Raila Odinga attended the celebrations, he was neither
acknowledged nor mentioned, sparking a backlash against the government
on social media.
The Nasa leader had arrived in the stadium midmorning and was received by cheering crowds outside the stadium.
Opposition leaders
In
his speech, the president hit out at the opposition leaders, accusing
them of belittling government programmes that were benefitting the poor.
He singled out the government’s electrification programme that has connected 23,000 schools and millions of homes.
“When
we connect homes to electricity, they ask, how can we connect a
grass-thatched house to power? Don’t poor people deserve power?”
This
happened as Mr Odinga sat pensively at the VIP dais. The Head of State
also asked leaders to accept defeat if they lose during the August 8
elections.
“Kenyans should shun violence. As leaders, we should accept defeat and not cause violence because of elections,” he said.
The
president urged voters to re-elect Jubilee, saying they deserve another
five years to complete development programmes they have initiated.
“Kenya is much better because of our leadership and to keep the same pace. Elect us for another term,” said the President.
Development programmes
He also unveiled a raft of development programmes for the region.
He
asked lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi to ensure that residents
living in Nyeri colonial villages get titles within three weeks.
This is followed a request by Nyeri Governor Samuel Wamathai, who said he had been sent by the affected families.
A
cancer hospital will be built in Nyeri at a cost of Sh5 billion to
serve central region after a deal was reached with the Hungarian
government.
The government will also expand Nyeri referral hospital and Othaya hospital, said the President.
The
Head of State also said the government would extend the Thika
SuperHighway to Isiolo in order to link the Northern Corridor with
Lapsset.
Deputy President William Ruto said the
government would continue to hold national day celebrations in various
counties across the country.
“All Kenyans should have the chance to witness our country celebrate its achievements,” said Mr Ruto.
20,000 residents
Earlier
on, more than 20,000 residents had streamed in the stadium as early as
7am to mark the day when Kenya attained self-rule.
From Mau Mau veterans, MPs and aspirants, many braved the jam in the central region headquarters to witness the historic event.
It was the first time the any national celebrations are being held in Mt Kenya region.
No comments :
Post a Comment