Uhuru woos populous central Kenya vote

By CHARLES WANYORO charlwanyoro@yahoo.co.uk  ( email the author)

Posted  Sunday, February 3  2013 at  00:30

In Summary

• The Jubilee team is on a campaign circuit of Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties.

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Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday urged Mt Kenya voters to turn out in large numbers on March 4 to ensure he wins the election.

Mr Kenyatta told his supporters at the Embu municipal stadium to elect Jubilee leaders to ensure their control of the Senate and National Assembly.

And in a veiled attack on the Kiraitu Murungi-led Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), which has made inroads in the region, Mr Kenyatta said the interests of the Mt Kenya region would be addressed through The National Alliance (TNA).

“Don’t be told to join political parties so as to address Embu and Meru issues. We are the same people and we should not be divided. Your interests will be addressed by Jubilee since you have good candidates who are members and they will ensure you are ok,” he said.

Send-off package

Saying the growth attained during the Kibaki presidency would be watered down if the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) assumed power, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the Cord candidate Prime Minister Raila Odinga to retire promising to ensure an attractive send-off package and security for him.

“President Kibaki, who has led the country for 10 years, has taken us through vast growth and development. If he did not face rebellion and squabbling from inside and was left to work uninterrupted, we would have made huge strides in development. We need a government of people who have a record of working together. If we want to build this nation, let Raila retire together with Kibaki. He has refused to go. Let us do it on March 4 through the ballot,” Mr Kenyatta said.

His running mate URP leader William also criticised Mr Odinga for questioning how he acquired his wealth saying no one was destined to be poor.

The Jubilee leaders said their government would create jobs for the youth by establishing factories.

Mr Ruto said a Jubilee government would set up a special fund for youth and women to access interest free loans.

“The main problem facing the youth and women who want to engage in business is lack of capital. Many have the ability to start profitable ventures,” he said.

Narc leader Charity Ngilu said she had helped start water projects in arid areas to end the shame of dependency on relief food.

The Jubilee leaders promised to provide irrigation water to boost food production in arid areas like Mbeere.

“You know my track record as an Agriculture minister,” Mr Ruto said, “when I say something will happen, I know it is possible. We will ensure we produce enough food.”

And in Kericho, a separate team of Jubilee members led by Nairobi Metropolitan minister Jamleck Kamau and former Belgut MP Charles Keter addressed rallies in Kimaout in Kipkelion, Lelu and Soko Uhuru on their first day of tour.

They challenged the Prime Minister to table evidence of allegations that the Jubilee leading lights had illegally acquired land.

Mr Keter, who is vying for the Kericho senate seat on a URP ticket, called on leaders not to use the issue of land to divide Kenyans and allow people to live in harmony wherever they are settled.