President Uhuru Kenyatta returned to the town of Mutomo in Kitui County on Friday to inspect the progress of the construction of a key road he launched last year and urged residents to vote for Jubilee to ensure the opposition does not derail the project.
The President said transformational projects like the ongoing tarmacking of the 192-kilometre road – which runs from Kibwezi through Ikutha, Mutomo, Kitui town and Kabati to Migwani – where his administration has invested Kshs 18.4 billion are at risk if the people do not give Jubilee a second term to complete them.
The opposition has warned that it will stop all projects initiated by Jubilee if it wins the August polls.
“For a long time the people of this region have desired to see this road tarmacked. We are now fulfilling that dream,” the President said, when he addressed Mutomo residents after inspecting the road.
President Kenyatta said he was keen to see the road completed as it was crucial in improving the lives of residents and fulfilling one of the Jubilee Government’s social and economic goals for the Lower Eastern region that was neglected by other regimes.
“This road will open up the counties of Kitui, Makueni and Machakos for rapid development and transform your lives by bringing down transport costs and attracting investors leading to creation of employment for the youth in the region and beyond,” President Kenyatta said as he drummed up support for Jubilee.
The road project consists of building and rehabilitating the existing road to an international trunk road standard. It is part of the Mombasa–Isiolo–Addis Ababa road transport corridor.
Other infrastructure projects implemented by the Jubilee Government in Kitui County include the construction of Kamuongo bridge at a cost of Kshs 492 million, and the rehabilitation of the 21 kilometre Mwingi – Kandwia road at a cost of Kshs 2.3 billion, the 96 kilometre Thika-Kithimani-Mwingi-Ukasi road at a cost of Kshs 430 million and the Kwa Vonza-Seku road that will be refurbished at a cost of Kshs 981 million.
Exuding confidence that Jubilee will win the forthcoming elections, President Kenyatta asked Kitui residents to rally behind his team so that they will be at the centre of Government after August.
“We are here to appeal to you to vote for us because we are focused on transforming your lives unlike our opponents who are only concerned about their personal welfare,” President Kenyatta said.
President Kenyatta affirmed his commitment to continue spreading transformational projects across the 47 counties, saying under his leadership no part of the country will lag behind in development.
For instance in Kitui County, President Kenyatta said his administration has invested Kshs 810 million to provide modern medical equipment to Kitui Level 5 Hospital and Mwingi Level 4 Hospital through the Managed Equipment Services (MES) project. This has ensured that residents have access to specialised health care that was previously out of their reach.
Kitui Level 5 Hospital and Mwingi Level 4 Hospital received theatre, sterilization and surgical sets, imaging and radiology equipment at a cost of Kshs 430 million and Kshs 380 million respectively.
The President said his Government’s investment in free maternity services has reduced home deliveries resulting in a significant decrease in maternal and infant mortality.
“Our investment has bought health services closer to people, delivering relief to families and communities that were previously held back by the high cost of getting treatment for loved ones,” President Kenyatta pointed out, saying that those projects coupled with other transformational initiatives are the reason why he is seeking a second term.
The President, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, emphasised the Jubilee government’s all-inclusive approach to development and its determination to ensure no part of the country is marginalised.
Ukambani leaders, including Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai and her Mwingi Central counterpart Joe Mutambo, assured the President and his deputy of the region’s support based on the Jubilee’s delivery track record that has lifted the lives of Kenyans across the country.