Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka roots for carpeting of Kibwezi-Kitui road

An MP from Ukambani affiliated to Jubilee Alliance has called for political tolerance among leaders in the region.

Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka urged the leaders, particularity from former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party to abandon the hard-line stance against the Jubilee government, and start working with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

The MP blamed Friday’s last-minute cancellation of the President’s tour of Kitui on some leaders, whose ‘combative’ politics, he said was hurting the economy of the county. Uhuru, instead, decided to visit Machakos county, where he was hosted by Governor Alfred Mutua.

Speaking at his office in Nairobi yesterday, Mr Munyaka hailed President Kenyatta for promising to prioritise the tarmacking of Kibwezi-Kitui-Kabati-Mbondoni Road next year.

He said the President’s pronouncement on the neglected infrastructure during his visit was a big boost to the local business community.

“The road is part of an international highway that holds the key to unlocking the economic potential for the three Ukambani counties and beyond,” Munyaka said.

When complete, the road is expected to provide an easy link to Tana River County, and help boost tourism, mineral exploitation and transportation of agricultural produce. It will also link the region to the Mombasa port.

The MP lauded Governor Mutua for hosting the President in his county, and steering clear of politics.

IMPOSED LEADERS

He reminded the former VP that the era of imposing leaders on the electorate in Ukambani is gone.

The MP who has fallen out with Kalonzo said the people will no longer accept leaders, just because they are from the ‘correct’ party.

“Leaders should stop misguiding the people by reading mischief whenever the President tours their regions. President Uhuru has said it many times that he will develop all areas in the country, notwithstanding the regions’ political inclination,” the MP said.

BOYCOTT THREATS

Munyaka said although Kalonzo’s Wiper party still dominates the region, there is no development to show for the 28 years the former VP worked with successive governments of former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki.

“He has nothing to show as an MP, cabinet minister and even as a Vice President. Let him point out what he did to the people of Ukambani,” asked Munyaka.

Last Friday, President was forced to shelve his visit to Kitui. No reason was given for the decision.

Insiders claim a team comprising of Kitui professionals were to control the president’s programme, without involving local elected leaders, prompting threats to boycott the function.

Uhuru was scheduled to meet the professionals at Kyondoni Mixed Day Secondary School in Kitui West, the Minority leader in Parliament Francis Nyenze’s constituency.

Wiper MPs Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central) and women Representative Nyiva Mwendwa questioned why Mr Nyenze was hosting the President without involving the region’s leadership.

They accused Nyenze of trying to undermine Kalonzo and the CORD fraternity by abandoning his role as Minority Leader and helping the Jubilee Coalition to make political inroads into the region.