Three governors from Ukambani held a consultative meeting Tuesday ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s two-day visit in the region scheduled for next week.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, hosted his Machakos and Kitui counterparts Alfred Mutua and Charity Ngilu at his official residence in Wote, to outline development projects that governors want the National Government to carry out.
Kibwana noted that the region had lagged behind in terms of development and expressed his optimism that the much-anticipated tour on July 6 and 7 by the President would help kick start key projects.
He singled out Konza Techno City, tarmacking of Ukia –Emali road in Makueni as some of the projects that would be presented to President Kenyatta for fast-tracking.
‘‘We also expect to be given a fully-fledged university and a regional bank,’’ said the Governor.
Kivutha however asked other leaders to divorce politics from the tour, saying the visit was purely development oriented.
“Politics without development is useless, we want to welcome the President to the region,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Governor Mutua, who said leaders bent on gaining political mileage from the visit were unwelcome.
“We expect the President to bring us a basket of goodies that will benefit our people. Those leaders who want only to be seen as close to the President without bringing any tangible development should keep-off,” said the Machakos Governor.
On her part, Governor Ngilu said the region was in dire need of road infrastructure, Universal Health Care and water.
Ngilu underscored the need for the region to realign its development agenda with the National Budget of Sh3.6 trillion.
“Sh3.6 trillion is not a small budget, we have earmarked some of the projects that we would want the President to deliver on,” she said.
The Governor urged leaders in the region to unite for the sake of development. “Leaders should shun divisive politics because as a region we cannot afford to be outside the next Government,” added Ngilu.
By Roselyne Kavoo
