President Kibaki unveils a plaque to mark the official opening of the newly upgraded Emali-Loitoktok Road to bitumen standard at Kimana Township in Loitoktok April 13, 2011. He is with Roads minister Franklin Bett . The President urged the political class to stop engaging in rhetoric. PPS
By NATION Reporter and PPS
Posted Thursday, April 14 2011 at 14:49
Posted Thursday, April 14 2011 at 14:49
President Kibaki has asked Kenya's political class to stop the brazen talk that has played out in public platforms lately.
He, instead, told leaders to focus on addressing the development needs of the nation.
“We must stop politicking all the time and instead focus and development ,” said President Kibaki at Kimana Township during the occasion to commission the recently upgraded Emali–Loitoktok road Thursday.
The President advised leaders to handle their differences diplomatically instead of resorting to abusive language and causing anxiety among the citizens.
“Let us live like brothers and sisters and avoid wasting crucial time on wrangles in our politics,” he said.
Lately, politicians have exchanged harsh words over the cases facing post election violence suspects at the International Criminal Court has been rife.
Two of the Ocampo Six, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto and their allies have made whirlwind countrywide "prayer tours" which have been turned into forums to attack Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto claim that Mr Odinga is behind their woes with MPs allied to them pointing to the PM's insistence that the suspects face trial at The Hague.
Harmony
The latest rally was held at Nairobi's Uhuru Park on Monday to welcome the Ocampo Six back home. They had made an initial appearance at the ICC where the six were informed of the charges levelled against them by prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
The Head of State also appealed to Kenyans to focus on building a harmonious, prosperous nation through hard work.
The President noted that the government had achieved laudable milestones that previously looked insurmountable.
He reminded motorists to adhere to prescribed traffic regulations and to particularly observe appropriate speed limits in the newly upgraded roads in the country.
He underscored that good roads are meant to facilitate safe, timely and efficient transportation of people as well as goods. Drivers should therefore be careful to avoid accidents and loss of lives and property.
Underlining government’s commitment to carry out extensive road construction works, the President noted that the transport infrastructure sector has experienced rapid expansion in the recent past.
Transportation
President Kibaki noted that the commitment in road construction is anchored on the fact that roads remain the main mode transportation carrying an estimated 95 per cent of the freight transport and over 80 per cent of the passengers.
“As a regional player within the East Africa Community, our trans-corridors serve a vital role in facilitating regional and continental trade and development,” he said.
With regard to the newly upgraded road, President Kibaki remembered with nostalgia a promise he made together with the former area MP Geoffery ole Parpai to build it during the 1997 general elections campaigns.
“I am pleased to be here with you today to open this road that links Emali to Loitoktok. The opening of this road brings to mind, a promise we made to the people of this region together with the late Honourable Geoffrey Ole Parpai, while we campaigned here in 1997 and 2002. I am happy that we have fulfilled that promise.”
President Kibaki said he was happy that the road connected Kenya and Tanzania thus expanding trade and business opportunities.
“New and modern transport facilities are emerging in various parts of the country. I am aware that the Government agencies in the roads sub sector are carrying out rigorous rehabilitation and maintenance of the road network,” remarked the President.
The Emali-Loitoktok road was upgraded at a cost of Sh4.2 billion which included an extension of 12 kilometres from Loitoktok to Kibauni at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
During the occasion President Kibaki thanked various development partners among them the Government of People’s Republic of China, World Bank, European Union, African Development, BADEA and Opec for their financial support for the successful implementation of various projects in the country.
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