Uhuru urges border communities to embrace unity and shun politicking

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses residents of Kiserian Town, Kajiado County, yesterday. He was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto. [PSCU]

This year’s Madaraka Day celebrations will be held in Kajiado County, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced yesterday.

He spoke when he arrived back from Arusha, Tanzania, where he attended the 20th Heads of State Summit of the East African Community.

The announcement is in line with a recent trend in which celebrations to mark some national holidays are held in the counties, a departure from the past when all such events were held in Nairobi.

The President, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto and Burundi Vice President Gaston Sindimwo, travelled from Namanga by road, making nearly a dozen stopovers to address the public.

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku hosted the leaders for lunch at Oletepes Picnic Site in Kiserian.

In his speeches during the stopovers, the President spoke on regional integration saying that governments in the East African Community are committed to ensuring the region becomes one entity without restrictions of internal boundaries.

“We will continue strengthening our ties (EAC countries) until the day we unite and our citizens become one and we no longer have border posts,” said the President at the Namanga One-Stop Border Post.

He said it was time for Africa to take its destiny in its own hands and chart a peaceful future for its people.

The President encouraged the border communities to live in peace and to take advantage of the various EAC treaties and facilities to engage in cross border trade.

Obligation

He said border communities must live in harmony with each other because progress cannot be achieved in the absence of peace adding that the Government has an obligation to ensure citizens enjoy better services.

“We want to live in a democratic society where the government serves the people and not the other way round,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State said citizens should take a more active role in demanding for their rights from Government officers as their contribution to the fight against corruption and impunity. 

He urged residents to always make sure they get details of any government official who they encounter soliciting or receiving bribes.

“Take their numbers and share them even in the media and we will deal with them,” said the President. 

At Bisil, the President reiterated his call on Kenyans to disengage from constant politicking and instead focus on development.

He said, he has forged unity with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga so that leaders can dedicate their time and energy to serve Kenyans.

“The handshake has nothing to do with politics but with delivering (development) for Kenyans,” he said.

He said the existing tranquillity has seen a record two million tourists visiting the country in the last one year. 

Speaking at Kiserian, the President challenged Members of Parliament to use the Constituency Development Fund to build more schools. 

“I will build the roads, provide electricity water, MPs should build enough schools,” said the President.

He announced that the Government is funding the construction of a sewerage system in Kiserian town. 

The President also announced that the Government will fund the construction of tarmac roads within all parts of the town.

Deputy President Ruto said Kenyans should focus on development and rally behind the President in moving Kenya towards progress. “We do not want stories, incitement and politics of division and tribalism. The President has united all Kenyans so that we can focus on development,” said the Deputy President.

The DP said Technical colleges have been built in every Constituency in Kajiado and called on the youth to enrol to learn technical skills to drive the country’s Big Four Agenda.

The Burundian Vice President also spoke at the stopovers addressed by President Kenyatta and DP Ruto where he urged Kenyans to remain united. He said there is strength in diversity when people are united and Kenyans should cherish their nation. Vice President Sindimwo, who also attended the East African Community Summit in Arusha, said EAC leaders are committed to boost integration projects in the region.

President Kenyatta also inspected the ongoing construction of Ngong-Kiserian-Isinya-Mashuru Road where he expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of construction works and promised to go back and commission the road soon. 

The President spoke at the Namanga One-Stop Border Post, Maili Tisa, Bisil, Kajiado, Isinya, Kiserian and Ngong among other stops.