Lucy Kimani wrote:


President chairs Western Province leaders' meeting.

Written By:pps   , Posted: Mon, Dec 03, 2007

President Mwai Kibaki has urged Party of National Unity (PNU) parliamentary and civic aspirants to approach the coming polls with confidence as victory is on their side.

Addressing a delegation of leaders from the entire Western province who included those vying for parliamentary and civic seats in the region under the PNU ticket, President Kibaki said he was assured of winning the election as his development record in the last five years spoke for itself.

"Even our rivals know that we have achieved a lot in terms of development and our work is evident in all the constituencies countrywide," President Kibaki said.

The President cited the expansion of the rural electrification progamme that has taken electricity to rural areas and the countrywide construction of roads as some of the tangible achievements of his leadership.

President Kibaki reminded Kenyans that five years ago the country's economy was at it lowest ebb and development had stagnated but now things have changed and the economy is growing at 7 per cent annually.

Expressing his commitment to continue serving Kenyans for another term as provided for by the constitution, the President said he was determined to ensure that the country's economy achieves a 10 per cent annually growth rate during his second term in office.

President Kibaki added that he would continue ensuring that public resources are prudently managed and equitably distributed for the benefit of all Kenyans without discrimination.

Saying wananchi were aware of the progress that country has made and will support development, the President asked all aspirants vying for parliamentary and civic seats under the PNU ticket to remain united in order to guarantee the party's success.

He, therefore, appealed to the 14 million registered voters in the country to vote for him so that he could continue improving the country.

On education, the President said his Government had already set aside funds for the implementation of free secondary education and dismisses those saying the move was a campaign gimmick.

He pointed out that Kshs 3 billion was also allocated to the Youth Enterprise Development Fund while another Kshs 3 billion was set aside for the Women Fund to economically empower the two groups that formed a critical segment of the Kenyan society.

"We are not doing all this because of the election but because of our genuine commitment to improve the lives of all Kenyans, "President Kibaki said.

On agriculture, President Kibaki pointed out that during the last five years his Government has worked tirelessly to improve the sector by reviving key agricultural institutions and ensured that farmer are paid well for their produce.

He said the Government was now paying farmers Kshs 1300 per a 90 bag of maize while dairy farmers were also paid better compared to what they used to get before he assumed the country's leadership.

In this regard, the President urged wananchi to disregard those promising miracles, saying the same people served in the Government and yet they did not do anything to benefit wananchi.

President Kibaki also once again advised wananchi to co-exist peacefully and not to allow the coming elections to create animosity amongst them, saying Kenya united even as the electioneering period reaches its peak.

Speaking during the meeting, Vice President Moody Awori said majority of Western Province resident supported the President because of the development he has implemented in the region in the last five years.

He assured President Kibaki that the PNU aspirants would deliver most of the 24 parliamentary seats in the region. Present were Ministers Musikari Kombo, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Dr. Newton Kulundu, Soita Shitanda, Moses Akaranga and John Michuki, Kanu Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Assistant Ministers Moses Wetangula, John Serut, Raphael Wanjala, Bonny Khalwale and Mwangi Kiunjuri among other PNU candidates and supporters