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Kibaki Dishes Out Districts And Varsity
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 09:47
The President said Egerton University's Kisii Campus would be upgraded into a full university once adequate land and facilities were found.
Addressing a delegation of Gusii leaders led by Energy minister Simeon Nyachae at State House, Nairobi, Kibaki said that an area with more than 400,000 people needed a district of its own.
Nyachae's was the sixth delegation the President was receiving at State House during the ongoing campaigns for the November 21 referendum.
"It is very important. We do it everywhere," he said in reference to the creation of new districts.
At present, Kisii region has three districts - Kisii Central, Gucha and Nyamira.
Kibaki said there were currently 71 districts in the country and more would be created based on population.
At the same time, the Head of State told leaders campaigning against the Proposed New Constitution to own up and tell Kenyans the truth concerning the process that culminated in the Wako Draft.
Kibaki said the Orange leaders, who oppose the draft, were being dishonest in their campaigns.
"They should own up and say Nilipitisha lakini ilikuwa na makosa (I passed it but it had some mistakes) and we will still listen to you," he said.
Kibaki said some of the No leaders took part in the Naivasha meeting where contentious issues on the review were thrashed out and wondered why they were now against the Wako Draft.
"One of them was the secretary (in apparent reference to Mr William Ruto, the then chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the review) and now they think we don't read. We read it even in the papers. Don't say you were not in Naivasha," said Kibaki.
The delegation of MPs, councillors and grassroots leaders from Gusii presented a memorandum to the President listing their requests.
In the memo, read by Mr Kennedy Riogi, the delegates asked for - in addition to two new districts and a full university - for more allowances and gratuity for councillors.
Kibaki said the Government would consider upgrading the Kisii campus, but asked the leaders to find land for its expansion.
"We will talk to Egerton and do our part. You go and do your part," he said.
However, on the matter of increased allowances for councillors, the President said the Ministry of Local Government would have to be consulted, noting that the civic leaders recently received an increment. He said their request would be considered alongside all other councillors in the country.
Last month, Local Government minister Musikari Kombo announced a salary increment for all civic leaders. However, many councils are yet to begin paying the new emoluments.
The delegation assured the Head of State of their support for the proposed constitution.
While thanking them for their stand, Kibaki urged the delegation to remain firm and vote Yes during the November 21 referendum.
He said the constitution was not an issue to discuss for a long time, saying Kenyans had been on it for the past 14 years.
Nyachae said majority of the people in Kisii backed the Banana group. "There are, however, some elements who may not be with us".
Nyachae, who is the chairman of the PSC on the review, said he understood the tradition and culture of Kenyan communities and that he could not have deviated from this.
He said the Abagusii were fully supporting Government for the sake of development and would therefore not fight the system.
In the delegation were MPs Henry Obwocha, Jimmy Angwenyi, Joel Onyancha, Geoffrey Masanya, Stephen Manoti, Hezron Manduku, Mwancha Okioma and Zebedeo Opore.
Others were Internal Security minister John Michuki, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Nyanza Provincial Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan.
South Mugirango Ford-People MP Omingo Magara was not present at the meeting as he supports the Orange camp.
