Stop fighting Cabinet Secretaries from Mt. Kenya region, leaders urged

Thika,

Friday, September 29, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles 

Mt. Kenya residents have called on area leaders to end infighting with Cabinet secretaries from the region for the sake of development. 

They claimed that the recent political spats pitting elected leaders and key figures in the Kenya Kwanza government are hampering the initiation and implementation of key projects in the region.

They specifically cited leaders who have been on Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome's neck over water projects, saying it might hamper the streamlining of water supply in the region. 

Speaking in Gatanga, Murang’a County on Thursday, they said the increased fights and divisions will hurt development.

Led by Laban Thuo, the residents pointed out that MPs Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North), Mary Wamaua (Maragua), and Betty Maina (Murang’a Women Representative) have been publicly attacking the CS over what they termed as ‘own selfish interests.'

 "Instead of planning on how to improve water supply in the region, our leaders are engaging in political infights. Others want the CS sacked. It's just sad," Thuo said.

At the same time, Kururia early this week called on President William Ruto to intervene and crack the whip at the Ministry of Water over delays in compensating Gatundu North residents who were affected by the multi-billion Kariminu II dam project. The locals are demanding Sh4.2 billion in compensation.

On her part, Wamaua, is at loggerheads with CS Wahome over the Murang'a South water crisis including the row over the management of Murang’a South Water and Sewerage Company (MUSWASCO).

The lawmaker accuses the CS of failing to intervene and streamline the operations of water service providers, which she said should have been taken over by the Murang’a county government. 

Equally the Murang’a women rep has publicly demeaned Wahome over water provision in the County claiming that the latter was incapable of performing her duties as a Cabinet Secretary.

The residents have now said the squabbles will cost the region development-wise at a moment when the Kenya Kwanza administration is executing its first budget.

Thuo claimed that some of the politicians who have been waging wars against their fellow leaders from the region are busy preparing the ground and aligning themselves for higher political seats in the 2027 general elections.

 “It is early to start politics. It's time to serve mwananchi. Our leaders should stop laying the ground for their political bids,” he said.

Thairu Ng’endo, a youth leader from Nginda Maragua, called on leaders in the region to embrace dialogue and iron out their differences, without unnecessarily turning the region into a political battleground.

Courtesy; KNA