Uhuru promises to address land issue if elected

By Michael Chepkwony

Eldoret, Kenya: Jubilee Coalition presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged his government will implement appropriate land policies and press for equity if elected in the March 4 presidential vote.

Uhuru said his administration would ensure proper land policies that promote maximum utilisation of the resource in production to spur development.

“Land should be used as a resource to address food security and create jobs. Dwelling on select ownership is a way of promoting hatred which the Jubilee coalition is against,” Uhuru said in Nandi County on Saturday.

Uhuru and his running mate William Ruto said they would focus on providing solutions to economic challenges facing Kenyans.

Addressing a rally in Kobuchoi centre, they criticised their opponents for only lamenting about the country’s problems without offering practical solutions.

The Jubilee coalition team said agriculture was the backbone of the nation’s economy and that land had to be properly utilised to enhance development.

Ruto said: “Land is an important resource in development but our opponents are using it to promote disunity in the nation. We need to handle the matter with sobriety.”

Ruto criticised CORD presidential candidate Raila Odinga for making claims that he cannot substantiate.

“Our opponents in the CORD coalition are making statements against us over land issue. Those are meant to cause separation at this jubilee year when we want all Kenyans to unite and work together as one nation,” said Ruto.

Uhuru said that threats issued by Raila over lands owned by some persons in the country were illogical, adding that every Kenyan has a right to own property.

The DPM asked Raila to clarify how the parcel of land in Nandi County, which the Odinga family is alleged to own, was acquired.

“Let him tell us how he acquired land instead of talking about other land owners. We need to be honest to Kenyans,” he said.

Uhuru and Ruto rooted for “six-piece” so that Jubilee coalition can form a strong government with majority representation.

Uhuru told Aldai constituents to vote for URP candidate Cornelius Serem as their next MP adding that Dr Sally Kosgei will have a place in the government.

“We shall give mama (Dr. Kosgei) another job because her presence is significant,” he said as everyone applauded.

Ruto hit out at Industrialization Minister Henry Kosgey’s bid for senate in the county and endorsed Stephen Sang of URP.

Ruto said that Kosgey should retire and let his son Alexander Kigen Kosgey who is vying for Emgwen seat to take over leadership.

“Tell Kosgey that we already have his son in Jubilee and we appreciate that. Let us have Sang as the senator,” he said.

At the same time, Uhuru urged electorates to dismiss opinion pollsters saying that the trustworthy pollsters is what will be reflected on March 4.

He said: “Have you ever been interviewed by those pollsters? Come out in numbers and vote so that the truth can be known.”

Ruto and Uhuru were accompanied by former MPs Najib Balala and Adan Duale.