Kitui leaders bury the hatchet and vow to speed up growth

MPs Charles Nyamai, Francis Nyenze, Makali Mulu, Bishop Robert Mutemi and Major (Rtd) Mutua Muluvi speak to the press, Saturday.  PHOTO: PAUL MUTUA /STANDARD]

By PAUL MUTUA

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Kitui, Kenya: Kitui politics has taken a new dimension after leaders resolved to open a new political chapter and forge a united front until the end of their term in 2017.

The leaders vowed on Friday to speak in one voice and drop hard political stances against one another in order to accelerate development and spur economic growth.

They further resolved to end divisive politics and embrace each other to redeem the county from political decay. In what was termed as “Kitui town declaration”, the leaders said the region faced myriad problems including biting poverty among thousands of poor residents and vowed to forge a united front to address the challenges. They resolved to co-operate so as to speed up their development agenda in the mineral rich county that has a 1.1 million population.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum held at the Kitui’s Kenya Forestry Training Institute and chaired by Governor Julius Malombe, Senator David Musila led six MPs, 40 Members of the County Assembly and professionals in regretting that Kitui lagged in development and advised that its leadership need not to waste time but remain focused in achieving socio-economic growth.

Working modalities

“It is major for every one of us to be practical and swiftly develop our county without unnecessary wrangles and sideshows. We have many challenges and we cannot afford to move while divided,” said Musila.

Dr Malombe said he had already put proper structures to kick start-working modalities where all stakeholders will be involved, adding that the focus will mostly be help and encourage entrepreneurs. MPs present Francis Nyenze (Kitui West), Joe Mutambu (Mwingi Central), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East), Charles Nyamai (Kitui Rural), Robert Mutemi (Nominated), women representative Nyiva Mwendwa and former cabinet minister Titus Mbathi said they will rally support to Malombe and embrace each other for the county to achieve tremendous growth.

Absent Kitui West MP Bernard Kitungi and his Kitui South counterpart Rachael Nyamai sent apologies.

The governor urged the leaders to support him in order to open a new chapter where they are supposed to respect each other and work in harmony to create wealth for the residents.

Mutambu and Nyenze who is also the Minority Leader in Parliament declared to end their hostilities and support the governor’s leadership.

Dr Malombe welcomed the gesture and outlined milestone achievements of his government since inception in March.

“My government is in the process of creating a framework that will ensure that my administration is accountable to the people of Kitui. This is the policy and legal framework that guarantees the people of Kitui excellent service delivery and sustained development process,” said the governor.

He said since his inauguration he has been putting structures in readiness for the county’s development takeoff. He said he has already constituted both the county Cabinet of 10 ministers and County Public Service Board (CPSB). The governor, however, acknowledged that the county was facing myriad challenges including insecurity. He said the menace was a great concern along the grazing corridor at the border of Kitui and Tana River Counties.