Use the Browser BACK button to return to listings

Nanyuki, January 27, 2006

President Mwai Kibaki is entertained by traditional dancers on arrival at Nanyuki where he opened the laikipia Teachers Sacco building, Nanyuki District Hospital women's ward and addressed a public rally.

President Mwai Kibaki said today that the government had the mandate to run the affairs of this country and would not be distracted from that mission by empty rhetoric.

He noted that while the freedom of expression was guaranteed in the country it should be accompanied by responsibility for the future of the country.

President Kibaki was speaking at Nanyuki municipal stadium where he addressed a mammoth public rally at the conclusion of a one day working visit to Laikipia district.

He said, "The government had a duty to the people and detractors would not be let to have their way."

Once again, President Kibaki said the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) was still the best vehicle for steering the affairs of this country, and asked the part's rank and file to continue with their steadfast support for the party.

Saying that there should be no doubt about it, the President wondered why some NARC politicians were demanding for another party to go to the next elections with.

"All those who were elected on the NARC should strive to strengthen it ahead of the general elections instead of seeking other parties that will only weaken their candidature," he added.

Amid applause, President Kibaki announced government plans to resettle all the landless people in Laikipia district. He said the resettlement exercise shall be done in phases but assured that it will cover all the affected people.

The President who was accompanied by the First Lady Lucy Kibaki renewed his appeal for famine relief to the country, noting that more people were likely to be affected by lack of food as the drought continues to ravage the country.

He said, "we need to mobilize more resources to provide food and water and save lives of people and livestock mostly in the arid and semi arid areas."

Responding to issues raised by local leaders, President Kibaki directed that an Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) office be re-opened in Nanyuki town so that farmers can be served effectively. He noted that the AFC offices in Meru town were too far for Laikipia farmers.

President Kibaki announced master plans to upgrade the road network in the district and singled out the Nanyuki-Nyahururu road as being of top priority.

Other speakers at the rally included the area Member of Parliament and an assistant Minister for energy Mwangi Kiunjuri and the MP for Laikipia East G.G. Kariuki.

The leaders expressed confidence in the government saying that Kenyans had realized faster development in the last three years of NARC administration than at any one time in the country's history.

They criticized those who were alleging that the government was involved in corrupt practices saying such people were part of wider plot to discredit the government ahead of the elections slated for next year.

The Rift Valley PC Wilfred Ndolo said Laikipia district had in the last three years received shs 53 million from the Constituency Development Fund(CDF),213 million for free primary education programme and shs. 151 million from the Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF).

Also present were cabinet ministers John Michuki, Njeru Ndwiga, Assistant ministers Joshua Toro, Wilfred Machage and Stephen Ole Ntutu.