Western leaders were to ask President
Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday
evening to urgently intervene and
revive the failing sugar sector.
Uhuru was to meet leaders from
Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga
and Trans Nzoia counties at the Kakamega
State Lodge.
The meeting was a follow up to
the one held at State House two
weeks ago. The President will lead
the nation in today’s Mashujaa Day
celebrations from Bukhungu Stadium
in Kakamega.
Regional leaders want Uhuru to
address issues affecting residents.
Kakamega governor Wycliffe
Oparanya said on Friday that all
elected leaders from the five counties were to meet the President.
“We shall discuss various issues
and tell the President what our development
priorities are,” Oparanya
said. He was briefing reporters
on preparations for Mashujaa Day
celebrations.
Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, Senator
Cleophas Malala, Woman Representative
Elsie Muhanda and county
commissioner Jaldeza Abdirazack
attended the briefing.
On Tuesday, Oparanya said that
the President is expected to announce
the government’s plan for
the revival of the sugar industry.
Malala said Uhuru should also address
infrastructure development
during his visit. The senator also
wants increased allocation to Masinde
Muliro University of Science
and Technology.
Kibicho said preparations were
complete and that security had been
tightened. “Hosting celebrations in
Kakamega is part of the government’s
strategy to promote counties
both nationally and internationally
and market them to potential investors,”
Kibicho said.
Visiting Namibian President Hage
Geingnob will be the chief guest,
Uhuru announced during a joint
press conference at State House
Nairobi yesterday.
SEAT OF POWER
National celebrations have been
held in Nakuru, Nyeri, Machakos
and Meru counties since Uhuru
announced rotational hosting.
On Friday, Kakamega county continued
pulling down kiosks along
the Kisumu-Kakamega-Webuye
highway to make the town look tidy.
Street families have also been
cleared from the Central Business
District.
Residents have been pleased by
the new face of the town. Both county
and national flags fl y from major
buildings and along roads leading
to the stadium.
George Kamau said that the county
government should keep the town
neat after the celebrations.
“Kakamega has changed because
the seat of power is temporarily
being moved to the town. We hope
more national celebrations will be
brought here,” Kamau said.
Tony Maleche said he was happy
with improved security following
the presence of the KDF, AP, regular
police and GSU offi cers in the town.
On Friday the military had taken
over operations at the venue.
Most dignitaries will be accommodated
in Kisumu because all Kakamega
hotels were fully booked,
Oparanya said.