Supporters of Opposition, Ruto clash in Taita Taveta

Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika. [File, Standard] 

President William Ruto’s supporters in Taita Taveta clashed with Opposition leaders over the ‘one term’ slogan during the launch of the construction of the Sh280 million Voi Modern Market. 

Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, Woman Representative Lydia Haika and county Trade Executive Gertrude Shuwe, who are supporting Ruto’s re-election clashed with Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako.

Mwashako who supports Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, said President Ruto does not deserve a second term as it had not met its election promises.

As Kilalo, Haika and Shuwe drummed up support for Ruto and Mwadime’s two-term slogan, Mwashako led the one-term narrative at the function attended by the Voi Deputy County Commissioner, Gachiri Mugo, and MCAs Lawrence Mzugha (Mbololo Ward), Azhar Din (Kaloleni Ward), Jones Mganga (Ngolia Ward) and Nominated MCA Lilian Kidali.

Kilalo said the President and the governor have jointly done a lot for the local community in terms of development projects geared towards transforming the lives of the people and deserved two terms.

“The county is achieving a lot of mega infrastructural development programmes because of our good working relationship with the national government. We also have a good working relationship with the President, who, together with the governor, deserves two terms to complete their development projects,” Kilalo told the gathering.

“There are challenges, but we should move forward. The two levels of government are working for all Kenyans irrespective of party affiliation, and our main focus is only service delivery and not political rhetoric. We will deliver development to the people of Taita Taveta,” the deputy governor told the gathering.

However, Mwashako, told those supporting the re-election of Ruto and Governor Mwadime that Kenyans will ultimately decide on the future destiny of the county and country at large.

“It is the voters who will decide the future destiny of the county and the country at large and not politicians.  Kenyans will decide if it is one term or two terms for the President and governor and not politicians,” insisted the Opposition legislator who has declared interest in the gubernatorial seat in next year’s polls.

“I am ready for the gubernatorial seat come next year’s polls,” stated Mwashako, who is also the Coast Parliamentary Group chairperson.

Voi legislator Abdi Chome said before he was elected to Parliament in the 2022 General Election, he had been in the ‘no-term’ camp.

“I have done a lot for the people of Voi, and there are people who will be in the no-term for years,” the Opposition legislator who had earlier vowed to lead the one-term opposition narrative told the gathering.

President Ruto was expected to officially hand over the construction site to the contractor but tasked Mwadime to preside over the ceremony. The governor was also absent.

Jamal Omar, a senior official with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing and Urban Development, directed the contractor to stick to the construction timelines of the project.

He disclosed that the three-storey building, which will accommodate hundreds of traders in the town, will only take one year to be completed.

“There will be a section of general merchandise, cold rooms, restaurants, prayer and lactation rooms, children’s playing areas and an ICT hub, among other amenities to be provided,” disclosed Omar.

 At the same time, Haika said the proposed market is the development agenda of the President, warning that other politicians should not take credit.

She said the ruling coalition government is also constructing other markets, including affordable housing projects in Mwatate, Taveta and Wundanyi. Two other new markets are also being constructed at Maungu and Mwatate Townships.

Further, the leaders said the market will not only change the face of the strategic town situated along the busy Mombasa highway but also open up business and employment opportunities in the region.

“Voi town will be very attractive and will be going to another level once the project is completed,” said Mwashako.

Chome and the trader’s chairperson, Tatu Isabella, said the project will be a one-stop market that will provide components of local content like employment and skills development, local procurement of goods and services and enhancing the capacity of local suppliers and contractors.

They further warned the contractor against employing outsiders on the construction site.

“Voi youths must get employment, and if we find out that the contractor has employed outsiders, we will kick them out,” Isabela warned.

The official noted that currently traders who were relocated to the new site to pave the way for the construction of the new market are operating in a poor and congested environment where there are no water, electricity and toilets, among other amenities.