Uhuru: I won’t be distracted by noisemakers

President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Courtesy]

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday said he will not be distracted by noisemakers out to derail him from his development agenda aimed at ending marginalisation and fostering cohesion.

In a veiled attack at his deputy William Ruto who criticised Jubilee’s second-term development agenda, Uhuru said those faulting his administration should wait for their turn.

The President said his administration was on course to complete major infrastructure projects that will connect all counties and spur development.

Uhuru said he will next month distribute title deeds to squatters in the Coast region to honour his promise of ensuring the land problem in the region is not used as bait in the coming elections.

“Those making noise, let them continue but we will continue doing our jobs to ensure the country is developed. Abusing people daily will not help,” said Uhuru.

While the President did not expressly mention his deputy nor those he claimed were ‘making noise’, he appeared visibly agitated.

In an interview with KTN on Thursday, Ruto fell short of declaring Jubilee government’s second term a failure, saying President Uhuru abandoned what they promised Kenya.

But yesterday the President listed some of his administration’s second term successes including Lamu Port, construction of Lamu-Ijara-Modogashi-Moyale road and electricity connection.

“I promised to issue title deeds to the people of Coast. Next month I will return to honour that promise and make sure land is not an issue in our politics,” said Uhuru.

The President was accompanied by five governors to launch a Sh10 billion Maritime Fisheries Social-Economic Development project to boost fish production at the Coast.

“The national deficit is 70 per cent of our national demand of fish. We know Kenya is capable of meeting the domestic demand deficit from 170,000 to 350,000,” the President said, adding that the project will add value to fish production in the region. 

He said the project and other related interventions are critical components of the post-Covid-19 recovery agenda, noting that he had allocated a further Sh2.1 billion for the establishment of a Tuna Fish Hub in Liwatoni, and Sh1 billion for a fish processing factory in Lamu.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said the project, which will benefit 19 sub-counties, will uplift the Coastal people who largely depend on fishing as a means of livelihood.

Others present were governors Salim Mvurya of Kwale, Amason Kingi of Kilifi, Lamu’s Fahim Twaha and their Tana River counterpart Dhadho Godhana.