By John Majau.
Meru County governor Kiraitu Murungi has defended President Uhuru Kenyatta against accusation by a section of politicians that he has neglected Mount Kenya region in development projects.
Kiraitu said the Head of State has spread development projects evenly in all the parts of the country with Mount Kenya region getting it’s fair share of the national cake.
Governor Kiraitu said that President Uhuru Kenyatta in consultation with other leaders from the region is doing his level best in developing the entire country adding that it is completely dishonest for some politicians to say the region has been abandoned in terms of development.
He urged leaders from the region to strategize on how to mobilize more resources from the national government for development instead of always engaging in politics of grandstanding and empty rhetoric.
He also warned politicians against dividing and destroying Jubilee saying the move will kill the party’s original dreams and developmental plans.
Kiraitu who was unveiling his 2019 developmental projects, accused a section of politicians of trying to destroy the Jubilee party for their own political interests and selfish gains.
“We will not allow the Jubilee Party to be destroyed by selfish political intrigues and parochialism. I don’t agree with those saying the President has neglected the Mt Kenya region. He is giving us a lot of support to develop Meru County. He has given us Sh900 million for Kinoru Stadium, Sh900 million for miraa farmers and waived Sh400 million debt for milk farmers. He is supporting the revival of coffee production. With devolved governments, it is our duty as governors to develop our counties. Politics of grandstanding and opportunistic rhetoric will not help Mt Kenya region,” said the Meru County governor.
He added that the only way to fasten the realization of the big four agenda is by paving way for jubilee manifesto and giving president Uhuru Kenyatta a chance to fulfill the government’s development plans.
“I was the chairman of Jubilee National coordinating committee which merged 13 political parties we made many effort and sacrifices to Kenyans irrespective of their tribes and religion which would be our platform for promoting peace,progress and prosperity in united Kenya it is sad to see all these sacrifices and dreams to go up in smoke”, added Kiraitu.
The county boss further pledged to work together with the national government to fast -track the realization of the big four agenda.
“I shall work closely with the National government cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and other officials to realize president Kenyatta Big Four Agenda in Meru and to increase the flow of national resources,”he added.
Governor Kiraitu pledged to give priority to healthcare, increasing access to clean water and promoting youth empowerment.
Governor Murungi said his administration will also unveil the Meru Vision 2040 and start an initiative to modernise markets and towns. The Vision 2040 is being prepared by the Meru Economic and Social Council led by former head of public service Francis Muthaura.
“I will devote my time and energy preaching the gospel of hard work, making Meru rich and prosperous. I want to make Meru “a sign and a wonder”. The MeruCare, a universal healthcare programme, will transform our health services, promote preventive healthcare and provide affordable health services to all people of Meru including the poor and the vulnerable,” said Kiraitu.
The governor said his county government will build a five-star hotel at the Meru National Park besides promoting cultural tourism as well as promote grassroots development through the ward fund which has been allocated a total Sh900 million with each ward entitled to Sh20 million for projects identified by ward development committees.
“This year, we shall commission more boreholes and water projects in all the wards. We shall expand the Meru Youth Service to empower our youth and give more economic opportunities to our struggling youth. I will unveil the Meru Vision 2040, an all-inclusive long-term strategic development plan for the county” he said.
