Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has expressed confidence that Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was best suited to take up the African Union Chairmanship owing to his leadership credentials.
Speaking today in Homa Bay Pier during his weekly media briefing, the Spokesman said that the Kenya government was fully in support of Odinga’s bid for AU Commission Chairmanship.
Mwaura said President William Ruto’s campaign skills would be handy in ensuring Raila gets the African continental top job.
“Many Kenyans know that the president is good at campaigning. After they met in Uganda, the true government position is that we fully support the candidature of Raila to AU,” Mwaura said adding that Raila has the requisite qualities for the position.
He described Raila as a true Pan Africanist who understands the affairs of the continent. “Raila has held the position of the AU High Representative for infrastructure and has championed democracy. He is a true pan Africanist,” Mwaura said.
Mwaura expressed confidence that Raila would succeed in his quest for the position noting that a cross section of African leaders has already agreed to support his candidacy.
On Wednesday, Raila said he is on a mission to persuade heads of states in Africa to win their votes. The Azimio leader said he had also met with the new Namibia President Nangolo Mbumba. Raila met Museveni last Monday.
“After meeting President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda last time, I assure you that East African countries have agreed to rally behind Raila. We stand a better chance as a region to lead at AU,” Mwaura added.
Accompanied by Kenya Shipyards Ltd Managing Director Maj Gen Paul Otieno, Tom Mboya University Vice Chancellor Prof Charles Ocholla and Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan, Mwaura asked Kenyans to focus on development instead of politics.
He said that the time for politics was behind us and development should now be the priority.
He said county governments should work closely with national government for mutual growth.
Mwaura said President Ruto was committed to ensuring all parts of the country benefited from development projects.
He said the national government was undertaking various projects in Homa Bay including construction of Mbita- Magunga-Sori road that connects Migori and Homa Bay counties.
Others are Mfangano and Rusinga ring roads, Oyugis water project, West Karachuonyo water project and Kendu Bay water project.
The water projects are expected to be connected in homes and will collectively benefit more than 200,000 people.
“We intend to increase coverage to at least 90 per cent by 2025. This will involve last mile connection,” Mwaura said.
Otieno said Kenya Shipyards Limited was undertaking several projects along the lake that would promote blue economy and revive lake transport.
Water was one of the leading modes of transport in the 70s as it was the safest and used to carry bulky goods.
The agency is currently rehabilitating the first phase of Homa Bay town pier which is set to be completed within four months.
The works involve rehabilitating and upgrading the pier with modern facilities such as landing bays, fish landing bays, freezing containers, waiting bays, public swimming area, restaurants among other amenities.
“There will be an increase in leisure tourism, sports tourism, and a boom of human capital development that would be delivered through local universities and tertiary colleges after completion of the pier,” Otieno said.
By Daisy Marcy and Davis Langat
