President Uhuru Kenyatta has ruled out the possibility of holding dialogue with the Opposition on electoral reforms.
The President stated that he is ready to participate in a dialogue on development matters.
He said the electioneering period was over, and told Opposition to wait for the next campaign season when they would then negotiate with Deputy President William Ruto.
“Lakini hii ya kuongea masiasa ingoje 2022 wataongea na William Ruto. Mimi nitakua naenda nyumbani (any dialogue on a political issue should wait until 2022 and dialogue with Ruto because I will be retiring),” said Uhuru.
The hardline stance adopted by the President comes just two days to a planned swearing-in of NASA chief Raila Odinga as the “People’s President” on Jamhuri Day. The government, through its legal adviser Githu Muigai, has termed the move illegal and treasonable.
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The Head of State spoke on his administration’s focus to fulfill his campaign promises.
“There comes a time when we should say the time for politics is over. We have to unite and work for the people because that is what Kenyans want now. They want to see our country transformed and moving forward. That is the dialogue we want to engage in,” he said.
The President was speaking during the burial of Susan Wairimu, the mother of Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege, in Kigumo, Murang’a County, yesterday. Also present was First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. President Uhuru said there was need for Jubilee leaders to focus and work together to steer the government agenda.
The DP echoed Uhuru’s sentiments, saying the political season was over. Ruto appealed to the Opposition to join hands with the Government in uniting the country.
“The President has two major responsibilities: to unite the nation and bring an end to the politics of division and tribalism and to transform the country.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that he succeeds in the agenda that we have put before Kenyans by making sure that we work together,” he said.
Local leaders, led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Kigumo MP Ruth Mwaniki, pledged to work together in implementing the Government’s campaign pledges.
The leaders, at the same time, called on the Government to fast track construction of Kinyona Njambi-ini road that is expected to connect Murang’a and Kiambu counties.
Government support
They sought government support to have the road completed to spur business between the two counties.
Wa Iria said Kiambu and Nyeri counties were connected with Nyandarua, but that Murang’a had been lagging behind. “It is a humble prayer from Murang’a people to have the 34km stretch done as we have lived together with our neighbours from Nyandarua,” said Iria. The Kigumo legislator said they were working to upgrade Kigumo Health Centre and acquire drugs and equipment to boost health-care.
The President, at the same time, said he will concentrate his efforts in ensuring that all Kenyans had medical cover by 2022.
Consequently, he urged Kenyans to register with NHIF.
“Register with NHIF because no one knows when they will need medical attention,” he said.
He said the health insurer had played a crucial part in off-setting the bill accrued through the prolonged stay of Michael Chege, Sabina Chege’s father, in hospital.
“If it wasn’t for NHIF, that bill would have been too huge for the family to bear. Therefore it is very important to have a health cover,” he added.
