Kisumu is ready for President Uhuru Kenyatta, leaders say

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma (right) with County Commissioner Erastus Ekidor at Kenyatta Sports Ground during Mashujaa Day celebrations. (Photo: Titus Munala/Standard)

Kisumu is ready to receive President Uhuru Kenyatta, area leaders assured during Monday's Mashujaa Day celebrations.

The leaders exuded confidence that the Head of State would visit the county with goodies as scheduled.

They were reacting to information being circulated in the area that some leaders were recruiting youths to heckle Governor Jack Ranguma.

Monday, leaders lauded the President's decision to visit the lakeside city, saying the tour meant a lot to residents.

Religious leaders, businessmen and political leaders joined hands to lobby residents to come out in large numbers and welcome the President in the much-publicised visit.

They warned that anybody who attempted to interfere with the President's tour would face the law.

A county assembly member who spoke at the event earlier started the debate when he claimed some youths were planning to disrupt the visit.

Deputy Majority Leader John Olum warned that any disruption would be met with the stern wrath of the police.

Development agenda

"We will not allow three or four people to interfere with the interests of residents. The President is coming with a development agenda and he has a right to visit any part of the country," said Mr Olum.

Governor Ranguma said Kisumu residents were waiting for the President with open arms and would not allow any intruders "to spoil the show".

"We already have an agenda of the county issues we wish addressed. Our industries need to be revived, roads need to be built and businesses need to be developed, as well as the security situation," he said.

County Commissioner Erastus Ekidor said they were ready to work with the county government to ensure Uhuru's visit was not disrupted.

And nominated Senator Joy Gwendo said leaders had been consulting over the tour and unanimously agreed to welcome the President.

Ms Gwendo said leaders had decided to work together irrespective of their political alignments in order to achieve development.

"Our role as leaders is to ensure development and good life for our people. Let us keep away from party differences at this time and initiate development, which is what our people will judge us by," she said.

Uhuru was expected to visit Kisumu last week but the trip was postponed after State House communicated that the President had a tight schedule.

A statement from State House indicated the President was to be a key contributor at the East African business summit in Rwanda.