Nyeri County Commissioner Lyford Kibaara has stressed on the need for the residents to maintain peace so as to foster development in the region.
Kibaara noted that no tangible development can be realized in the absence of peace and stability and asked local leaders to preach peace. “It is necessary we keep and protect our peace,” he reiterated.
Speaking at Mweiga stadium in Kieni west sub -county during celebrations to mark this year’s Mashujaa day Tuesday, the county commissioner said Kenyans would not want to go back to political violence witnessed in the previous years, adding that the violence is normally instigated by a few people.
He asked leaders to ensure that people do not go back to those dark days, when government officials used to distribute food to victims of political violence in camps.
Kibaara told the gathering that the national and county government had initiated various development projects to benefit the area residents.
He emphasized that all national government projects in the area must be completed before 2022, citing the Mau Mau road which is under construction and also the Kenol-Marua road.
At the same time, Kibaara called on the residents to continue adhering to the Ministry of Health containment measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The county commissioner asked the Nyeri County Assembly to enact a law to ensure the inclusion of the National Police Service in the Liquor Act to avoid the challenges faced by police officers when enforcing the law.
Speaking during the same occasion, Kieni MP Kanini Kega asked the residents to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) saying it aimed at benefiting all Kenyans.
Kega asserted that no development could be achieved with leaders who do not value peace and development for their people.
The politician castigated a section of local leaders who he claimed were roaming the country with choppers discrediting development projects initiated by the national government and campaigning for the 2022 general election.
Kega regretted the recent Murang’a incident where two lives were lost, adding that the Mau mau freedom fighters vowed that no other blood should be shed in the country.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga asked opponents to give elected leaders time to deliver on their current mandate and wait for the electioneering period.
Kahiga said there is no vacuum all elective seats both at the national and local levels and those eyeing the seats should wait for their chance in 2022.
The governor added that counties are working together with the national government to complete various development projects.
By Mwangi Gaitha /Beth Ndirangu