The African Union’s special envoy Raila Odinga was left red faced in rather unfamiliar territory when he visited Kiambu county where he was attending a function at Kangoya PCEA church.
Shockingly, despite Raila’s new found love with President Uhuru Kenyatta, which has catapulted his political position in the country, no elected leader from the region accompanied him.
Ferdinand Waititu, Senator Kimani wa Matangi and the 12 MPs from the county all boycotted Raila’s visit and instead left him at the hands of a few villagers and school children.It is not yet clear why the leaders gave Raila’s visit a wide berth.
It is generally accepted that the family is the natural environment for the growth, well-being and protection of children. Many children in our society are deprived of parental care due to the death of parents, poverty, the impact of HIV and AIDS, disability and other causes. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NTfkZAfhGN
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) December 10, 2018
Our shared ambition must be to ensure that such children and all children grow up in the environment most positive and natural for their growth and well-being. These were part of my remarks at the Christmas Luncheon at P.C.E.A’s Kangoya Child Development Center in Kiambu. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/6htwbN0qKo
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) December 10, 2018
Raila, was, however, in the company of ODM MPs Antony Oluoch, James Nyikal and Tom Odege.
This comes days before residents of Kisumu county are expected to welcome the president for the Jamhuri day celebrations which will be held on 12th December.
The Nyanza tour will be to welcome President Uhuru Kenyatta during his first visit since his March 9 handshake with Raila Odinga.
Nyanza is Raila’s backyard and considered an opposition stronghold. While Kiambu is Uhurus backyard.
While Waititu was informed by Raila’s office of the visit, he skipped because he was “not formally invited.” Only Women’s Representative Gathoni Muchomba sent her apologies.
But Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa was categorical that he would not have attended the meeting even if he were aware of it.
He said he was in Garissa where he had accompanied Ruto on a working tour. “President Uhuru and Ruto have asked us to stop politics and focus on development,” he said.
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi said he was not aware of the meeting, while Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo was said to be out of the country on parliamentary business.
The President will visit on December 13 to launch the piloting of Universal Healthcare Coverage, part of his Big Four Agenda.
The government will spend Sh3.9 billion to pilot the programme in Kisumu, Nyeri, Isiolo and Machakos counties.
The projects will establish the capacity of NHIF and improve infrastructure before the programme is rolled out countrywide.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the county is well prepared to host the President. Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo called on President Kenyatta to revive collapsed sugar industries, saying the livelihood of millions of Kenyans depends on the sector.
He said Uhuru should also launch the construction of Muhoroni-Mamboleo C674 road, formerly the C34, which is a key road to Kisumu, Nandi and neighbouring counties. Other leaders welcoming Uhuru include Nyando MP Jared Okello, Kisumu Central MP Fred Outa and Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga
They said the region will benefit from projects through Uhuru’s visit. “We expect most stalled projects such as Kicomi, sugar and fishing industry, and maritime transport to be given priority by Uhuru,” Okello said.
The MP also said they will request construction of the Mamboleo-Londiani, Awasi-Katito and Singida bridge-Ahero roads. He said the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital should be upgraded to the level of Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Referral Hospital.
The region expects to benefit from completion of the 254km standard gauge railway between Naivasha and Kisumu. The section is projected to cost Sh380 billion.The proposed phase 2B will pass through Narok, Bomet, Kericho and in Kisumu, where a Sh14.3 billion port will be put up, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment report.