'YES' ON THEIR WAT TO MACHAKOS

ATHI RIVER, Kenya, Jun 18 - President Mwai Kibaki has urged Kenyans to unite in supporting the Proposed Constitution, saying it will open a new chapter in addressing a host of challenges that the country has faced in the past.

Speaking when he made stopovers at Mlolongo, Athi River and Kyumbi, Machakos Junction, President Kibaki reminded the public that the country’s independence was achieved through unity of purpose that espoused the aspiration of Kenyans.

In this regard, the President appealed to Kenyans to embrace the same spirit and shun tribalism as the search for a new constitution enters its final stages.

“Let’s think as one Kenyan people and work together in ensuring genuine change that will enable the country achieve all the targeted development goals,” President Kibaki said.

Stressing that Kenyans loved one another, the Head of State said the same love should be used in making important decisions affecting the future such as voting for the new constitution so as to build a modern and prosperous nation.

In this connection, President Kibaki said the there was no need for people to incite segments of the Kenyan society to rise against their fellow citizens.

Noting that the search for a new Constitution has taken many years and a lot of resources, President Kibaki expressed hope that Kenyans would vote for the new constitution that will safeguard their rights.

Responding to requests from the public, the President said the ongoing infrastructural development in the Mlolongo-Athi River area will be expedited to make it a strategic economic hub that will not only create jobs for the youth but also ensure its rapid development.

Speaking during the occasion, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the new constitution would facilitated the creation of expansive special economic zones in Mlolongo, Mombasa and Kisumu that will accelerate development and create employment for the country’s youth.

The Prime Minister also said the new law will offer a comprehensive way of addressing the major challenges of poverty, disease and illiteracy.

Mr Odinga added that the new Constitution would ensure improved governance, eradicate corruption and equitable distribution of national resource.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said the new constitution would open the social, political and economic space that Kenyans have waited for many years.

Other speakers included Cabinet Ministers Charity Ngilu, Prof Anyang’ Nyong'o, Assistant Minister Wavinya Ndeti and Chief Whip Johnson Muthama among others.

Later, President Kibaki officially commissioned the rehabilitated Maruba Dam and the new Machakos Water Supply Treatment plant.

The project which was undertaken by the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation was undertaken at a cost of Sh380 million and will ease the acute water shortage in Machakos Municipality.

Present were Cabinet Ministers Mohammed Kuti, Franklin Bett, Prof. George Saitoti, Otieno Kajwang', and Mutula Kilonzo, several assistant ministers and Members of Parliament.