County leaders must unite to ensure growth, says Nakuru Governor

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei address the Press shortly after they met at the media house's headquarters on Tuesday evening. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

NAKURU: For Nakuru to achieve economic prosperity, county leaders must set aside their differences and work together, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has said.

Speaking on Tuesday evening at the Standard Group headquarters in Nairobi when he met Chief Executive Officer Sam Shollei, Mr Mbugua said the conflict among new offices in the new constitutional dispensation was expected.

The county chief said leaders should nurture harmony in order to improve the lives of Kenyans.

“Though it is not a good situation, wrangles between county assemblies and county executives are to be expected especially when new systems come into place because each institution is trying to find its own space. However, personal accommodation is key to bring these wrangles to an end,” he said.

He said county leaders should foster good relations between county executives and assemblies.

“There are no fundamental issues between the two institutions of county government. In Nakuru for example, we started on a bad footing following a dispute with the county assembly but with time it settled down and we now work in harmony,” he added.

POWER GENERATION

Mr Shollei said devolution is transforming the country, adding that Nakuru plays a big role in the country’s development agenda being host to the nation’s major power generation plants and a robust horticulture industry.

Nakuru is among the largest and richest counties in terms of natural resources.

Mbugua said he has big dreams to improve the welfare of residents and aims to market the county based on its image and achievements since the inception of devolved governments.

“I intend to make Nakuru County the most secure place for tourism, to do business in and for transit to the western part of Kenyan and the neighbouring countries. This has enhanced inter-trade between communities and other counties,” he said.

So far the county government has rehabilitated 1,000km of roads to make them passable, built 35 new health centres and rejuvenated the various dilapidated health facilities as well as equipping them.