President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, has warned individuals
allegedly financing violent protests, saying their efforts to destabilise the
government will not succeed.
Speaking in Taita Taveta during a women’s
empowerment forum on Thursday, Farouk said the Kenya Kwanza administration will
not be distracted by chaos, adding that the country’s unity will eventually
triumph.
“Those using their money to fund violent protests
will not succeed. The resources should be better channelled to helping women so
that they can economically prosper,” said Farouk.
“We will not allow violence to destabilise this
government. We will serve Kenyans across the divide regardless of their tribe.
We are one Kenya.”
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to equality and inclusivity, saying no region would be marginalised under President Ruto’s leadership.
“We are one Kenya. Tribalism will not rule
Kenya going forward. We are here as Kenyans, and you can see the national
leaders present. Ours is to preach unity and development,” he added.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who graced
the event, outlined several major development projects in the region and
affirmed the administration’s focus on delivering its promises.
“To open up our country for investment and
economic transformation, we have prioritised the revival and completion of all
stalled development projects, including road projects,” said Kindiki.
He cited the ongoing construction of the
66-kilometre Taveta-Njukini-Chala-Rombo-Ilasit Road, which he said will cost
Sh9.4 billion.
The road, he noted, will connect
Taita Taveta and Kajiado counties, enhance trade and improve livelihoods.
Kindiki also disclosed that the government is in the final stages of establishing a land registry in Taveta Sub-county to resolve long-standing land disputes.
“We will issue more title deeds to residents
in the coming weeks to ensure land ownership issues are settled,” he said.
He added that the county is part of the
national Affordable Housing Programme, with construction of 1,000 housing units
in Taveta Town set to begin soon at a cost of Sh2.2 billion.
An additional 580 housing units worth Sh400 million will be built for Kenya Medical Training College students in Taveta.
He said Sh767 million has been allocated for
the last-mile electricity connection project in the county, including Sh341
million to connect 3,700 additional households in Taveta Constituency.
“In line with President William Ruto’s directive, Sh3.8 billion has already been paid to victims of human-wildlife conflict, including affected residents of Taita Taveta County,” he noted.
Kindiki criticised the opposition, saying
empty political rhetoric would not derail the government's development plans.
“Empty political sloganeering will not
distract us from our solemn commitment to empower Kenyans through
transformative and inclusive policies, programmes and projects,” he said.
Other leaders present included National
Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports)
and Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Majority Leader Kimani
Ichung’wah, Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, and Woman Representative
Haika Mizighi, among several MPs and grassroots leaders from across the
country.
The
leaders reaffirmed their support for the government’s development agenda and
promised to continue championing initiatives that empower women and small
enterprises.
