Governor Wamatangi, Kiambu UDA MPs and hired crowds in church showdown as Ruto watches
"Most of the ladies who were there were hired from Kiandutu slums, they are neither our church members nor are they members of the AIPCA Women Council. It is unfortunate that the altar was disecrated to this extent to achieve political ends. As a church, we must condemn it," One of the church members lamented.
The political chess game that knows no bounds even in places of worship reared its ugly head today at a church event in Kiambu County turning into a political showdown between Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and UDA allied legislators led by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and her Gatundu North counterpart Njoroge Kururia as hired rival groups heckled each other.
Drama played out in front of President William Ruto who was attending a Sunday service at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Mangu, Gatundu North accompanied by local leaders and other dignitaries.
Area MP Njoroge Kururia when he welcomed Wamatangi to address the congregation by referring to him as “outgoing governor”, sparking a shouting match between supporters of both political camps.
Earlier, Ng’ang’a had told the congregants that it is just a matter of time before she takes over as the next county boss, prompting Kururia to quip: “So you are the incoming governor?” amid cheering from the legislator’s supporters.
Alleged hired crowds of women donning in AIPCA Women Cpouncil headcarfs jeered rivals in dramatic scenes that turned into an eyesore.
“Most of the ladies who were there were hired from Kiandutu slums, they are neither our church members nor are they members of the AIPCA Women Council. It is unfortunate that the altar was disecrated to this extent to achieve political ends. As a church, we must condemn it,” One of the church members lamented.
Kururia then proceeded to invite Wamatangi to make his speech, terming him as “outgoing governor” which seemed not to go down well with the Governor’s supporters who cheered him on.
Wamatangi took the occasion to remind Kururia that he is the Governor of Kiambu and that he was not “outgoing”.
The scenario attracted differing opinion in social platforms, with some commentators criticizing politicians for disrespecting church functions and turning them into turf wars.
President Ruto, when he addressed the gathering downplayed the issue and said only Kenyans will decide the people who will lead them.
“Kenyans will elect leaders because of their development track record. No one decides for our people how to vote,” he said.
He also took the occasion to announce that the Cabinet is set to meet and approve Sh 5 trillion required to fund the country’s transformation to a third world economy.
“The cabinet will meet to consider and approve the architecture of the fund and consequently begin Kenya’s journey of lifting the economy from third world to first-world status,” the President announced.
Ruto explained that the fund will be the instrument used to mobilise the next level, pointing out that it will be used in upgrading and expanding high-quality infrastructure.
This includes the dualling of 2,500 kilometers of highways, tarmacking 28,000 kilometers of other main roads, expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Mombasa and Lamu port, and the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to the border with Uganda.
Additionally, the Sh 5 trillion will also go into boosting food security by building 50 mega dams, 200 mini-dams and 1,000 micro-dams and thus put under irrigation 2.5 million acres, and generating an additional 10,000 megawatts of energy to power value-addition, agro-processing and industrialisation.
“We are late in moving this country from the third world to first-world status, and eradicating poverty and hunger,” said President Ruto.
At the same time, President Ruto told leaders to stop divisive politics and instead direct their energies in uniting the people.
The President regretted that some politicians are busy engaging in politics at the expense of discharging their responsibility of serving citizens.
Ruto said elections come and go but service to the people is an ongoing endeavour.
“Let’s work together for the sake of development. We should discourage divisive politics and focus our energies on serving the people. Time for elections will come,” he said.
He castigated such leaders for claiming that the government’s extensive and ambitious agenda to make Kenya a first-world economy is impossible, saying such individuals have no plans for the country.
“You cannot expect someone who has been in government for 50 years, and has no tarmac road to his home, to believe that Kenya can move from the third world to first-world economic status?” the President said.
He laughed off opposition leaders claiming that the government had done nothing in development, wondering if they lived in Kenya.
The President pointed out that the government is building 240,000 affordable houses, 400 modern markets, and 177,000-bed hostels for university, TVET and Kenya Medical Training College students across the country.
In total, he pointed out, the government is investing Sh48 billion in these projects in Kiambu County.
Additionally, Sh4.1 billion has been set aside for the improvement of roads in the county.
Leaders present, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, commended the President for the development initiatives in the Mt Kenya region, saying it would transform the lives of the people.
Cabinet Secretaries Alice Wahome (Lands) and William Kabogo (ICT) were also present.
