BY DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has invited Ukambani leaders and professionals to unite and work with the Kenya Kwanza Administration for the benefit of the people of the Lower Eastern Region.
Addressing more than 500 Kitui County leaders and professionals led Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Cultural Heritage Peninah Malonza and the National Security Advisor to the President Dr Monica Juma on Monday evening at the Bomas of Kenya, the Deputy President said bad politics had driven the community into the ‘wilderness’ of exclusion, adding that being in the opposition limits development benefits.
He said the professionals have a duty to lead their community to work with the Ruto Administration.
“You must change the politics of Ukambani. You cannot allow one person (former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka Opposition leader) to mislead a whole community for so long. You must make a decision because you are learned, talented and you can discern politics of this country and show the people at the grassroots the right direction,” said Mr Gachagua.
He asked the professionals to champion the interests of the people of the Lower Eastern, which is in need of dire infrastructural development.
“You must liberate the people of Kitui County from bad leadership and put your people to attract development of building schools, water for irrigation on your fertile land, better roads, among others. We (President William Ruto and the Deputy President) are ready to work with your leaders,” he said.
While the people of Kitui County are entitled to their share of development as taxpayers, the Deputy President said being on the decision-making table is more beneficial.
The Deputy President noted that despite the three counties of the Lower Eastern Region (Kitui, Machakos and Makueni) having numerous natural resources and arable land, the area was underdeveloped and needs affirmative action.
He attributed the region’s lack of growth and development to bad political leadership.
Mr Gachagua rallied them to retire the politicians who have been leading the Kamba community to the Opposition side of government for too long.
“You must liberate the Kamba nation from bad and selfish leadership. One man cannot take a whole community into the wilderness for 15 years. It is you the professionals to liberate the Kamba nation and put it on the path of development and progress,” Mr Gachagua told the group.
He asked them to emulate the Kikuyu community which defied calls by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to vote for Opposition leader Raila Odinga in the last election and supported President Ruto.
He said Azimio La Umoja Kenya One faction does not respect Mr Musyoka, who has supported Mr Odinga’s candidature in the last three election cycles. He asked them to leave the opposition and join the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
“The Kamba people are educated, hardworking and loyal to a cause. They deserve respect. How do you subject their leader to humiliation and ridicule?” he said.
Some of the development projects discussed during the meeting included road infrastructure, access to safe and clean water for domestic and commercial use, exploitation of natural resources and installation of governments such as Huduma Centres, among others.
The President’s Women Rights Advisor Harriette Chiggai, member of Commission on Revenue Allocation Benedict Mutiso Muasya, former Kitui West MP Charles Nyamai, among others, were also present.
