Kindiki to Kenyans: Don’t be deceived by leaders dividing country for political gain

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenyans not to fall into the trap of those propagating incitement and division in pursuit of their own political interests.

Kindiki warned that such leaders do so at the expense of the country’s unity and development.

He insisted that communities have co-existed for a long time, reiterating the need to maintain peace and order for prosperity and development in every part of the nation.

“There's only one Kenya. The country will develop if all the communities co-exist. It is the agenda we are pursuing relentlessly that is why we will not lend space to those trying to divide and incite Kenyans along tribal lines,” the Deputy President said.

“You cannot incite one community against the other because most communities are spread countrywide. We must preach peace and ensure equitable development in all parts of the country.”

He spoke on Saturday during empowerment engagement at Kibirichia in Buuri Constituency, Meru County.

Kindiki, who is spearheading empowerment of groups and saccos belonging to youths, women, small-scale traders across the country, defended the initiative saying it is meant to complement other far-reaching policies being implemented.

He told off critics of the initiative saying that many of them do not understand how the amounts being can boost small businesses.

“Empowerment is central to bettering the lives of millions of Kenyans, especially those at the grassroots. This is something we will not relent in pursuing. Anyone opposed to it doesn't know how Sh10,000, Sh20,000, Sh50,000 is crucial to uplifting someone's hustle,” the DP said.

So far, thousands of groups and saccos have benefitted as the initiative is intensified nationally.

Kindiki added that mama mboga, boda boda, owners of salons, barbershops, carpenters, electricians and other micro and small-scale traders play a huge role in running the local economies and creating jobs and deserve to be supported.

“Our men, women and youths don't need freebies. They need to be empowered now and not only during elections,” he emphasised.

The initiative is meant to complement other fully-fledged programs including National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) and Kenya Jobs Economic Transformation, targeting empowerment of youths and women.  

“We are not stopping at empowerment. It's a complementary gesture on top of rolling out policies that have stabilized the economy and led to better earnings in the coffee, tea, dairy, miraa sub-sectors and others,” he noted.

The Deputy President also enumerated key projects funded by the government in Meru County including 17 new markets that are under construction. He said six are scheduled to commence soon.

He said the state has invested at least Sh1.9 billion for expansion of last-mile electricity connection in the county with a target of 20, 000 new connections. 

“We are also reviving stalled roads and intensifying electricity access, creating jobs in various sectors. All these development projects are targeted at improving the lives of residents,” he said.