NA Speaker Wetangula ready to midwife bipartisan talks between government, opposition
The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula says he is ready to midwife and facilitate the bipartisan discussions to resolve political standoff in the country.
Wetangula said that a decision by president William Ruto and opposition chief Raila Odinga to choose by bipartisan negotiations to resolve the political stand-off was noble idea and a show of statesmanship.
“I want to assure the country that through the Houses which I lead, I am ready to midwife and facilitate by partisan talks that will bring peace, tranquility and development to our country.” Wetangula said.
He added: “Kenya is for all of us, when you compete in a general election and you win you become the president of everyone, for those who voted for you and those who did not therefore you must put interests of all at heart”.
Speaking in Bungoma county during a funds drive in aid of Chebukaka Girls Secondary School in Kabuchai Constituency, the Speaker said President Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to engage in talks with any leaders for prosperity of the country.
“Our Head of State has been clear that the talk should not be centered on the last general elections because the polls were credible,” he added.
He explained that it was wrong for the opposition to blame the President for the high cost of living, adding that the Kenya Kwanza government was operating on a budget prepared by the last regime which has subjected Kenyans to suffering.
“Since Kenyans voted in President Ruto, his first budget will be coming in July/ August to address the high cost of living by lowering prices of essential commodities such as fuel and flour among others,” he added.
He challenged the MPs to ensure that the budget must address fundamental issues faced by Kenyans because as people’s representatives they know them better.
The Speaker said he was happy that for the first time, political leaders from Bungoma County were speaking with one voice irrespective of their political affiliations.
He added that as a results they were unable to bargain for development projects for the region when he led all leaders among them the governor and MPs in visiting the president at State House on Wednesday.
Among the key projects that the president assured them that will be initiated after the talks were installation of a new mill at Nzoia Sugar factory to boost its production, setting up of a new Level Six hospital worth Sh8 billion and tarmacking of all roads that had stalled in the area among others.
He said he will work with local leaders to support infrastructural development of the schools so that students get quality education.
Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka said revival of Nzoia will help majority of residents who relied on the mill for their livelihood.
“Farmers gave suffered because they have not been paid their dues after supplying cane to the factory. Revival of the factory will cushion them from financial woes,” said Lusaka.
