The expansion of the government to include opposition has put Kenya on a development trajectory, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has said.
Wandayi said the country will progress if all leaders support the broad-based government.
“For any country to attain meaningful development, unity, peace and stability are critical and that is what guided President William Ruto’s decision to form an inclusive government,” he said.
He said the Western and Luo Nyanza regions would continue to work together under the unity government for prosperity.
He spoke at Lunakwe grounds during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bumula Energy Centre and Transformer Maximisation projects in Bungoma County.
The Sh 260 million centre is to be established in the country.
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) CEO Dr Rose Mkalama, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, host MP Jack Wamboka and his Likuyani counterpart Innocent Mugabe attended the event.
Wandayi is among the four CSs appointed from ODM to join the expanded government to stabilise the country after protests by Gen Z.
Others are former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and SMEs), John Mbadi (Treasure and Economic planning) and Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy).
Wandayi said that Bungoma County will receive Sh 2.7 billion for energy projects this financial year, adding that part of the money will be channelled through Kenya Power.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka who has been critical of the Kenya Kwanza administration expressed support for the broad-based government.
“In the spirit of broad-based government, every Kenyan must feel at home. I agree with the president by ensuring every person is and feels part of the government,” he said.
“We used to be told about shares in government and some of us were wondering what all this was all about. As people of Bumula, we invite the President to come and tour Bumula. We have no problem with him,” he said.
They said the broad-based government will ensure equitable development of the country.
Wamboka said the Bumula constituency has many issues to discuss with Ruto.
“This is the only constituency that has never produced a Cabinet minister, a Principal Secretary or even an ambassador and these are some of the issues we want to talk to him on one,” he added.
Wamboka, however, said lawmakers will, nonetheless, keep the government in check.
“You will allow MPs to carry out their oversight mandate,” he said
He asked the CS to assist the constituency in leveraging the existing transformers, noting that some transformers have less than ten people connected while thousands remain in darkness.
