Coast, Western parliamentarians divided into "handshake projects"

Government-initiated projects in parts of Nyanza have divided Western and coastal politicians.

Some parliamentarians accuse the MDG leader, Raila Odinga, of using his handshake agreement with President Uhuru Kenyatta to set aside the two regions. Parliamentarians include allies of DP William Ruto and others of ODM.

However, Odinga's lieutenants in the two regions have come to his defense, saying that the whole country is benefiting from the handshake.

Mumias' eastern deputy, Benjamin Washiali, his Matungu counterpart Justus Murunga, and former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, accused Odinga last week of using his influence to concentrate projects in his Nyanza backyard while ignoring the rest from western Kenya.

"Raila no longer values ​​the west, where she claims to be the thirteenth grandson of Wanga King Nabongo Mumia," said Dr. Khalwale.

The three cited the planned revival of the port of Kisumu, which will be commissioned by Kenyatta this week. Other projects include the oil pier and the standard railroad.


Also in progress is the revival of the Kicomi factory and the launch of a socioeconomic zone in Kisumu.

TENSION

Parliamentarians allied with Mr. Ruto demanded that Mr. Odinga use his camaraderie with the President to revive Mumias Sugar Company.

Other projects that lawmakers want the government to fix include the expansion and updating of the Kakamega airstrip and asphalting of roads.



During an event in Matungu, Dr. Khalwale said that other regions are not getting anything from the handshake.

On the coast, Kinango deputy Benjamin Tayari (ODM) said the handshake has not helped the region. He added that the leaders of the coast should unite and press for the regional agenda.

Malindi deputy Aisha Jumwa also criticized the handshake, saying she has only divided the region. “I was among those who supported the handshake, but I discovered that it was not for unity. When I decided to support the DP, they expelled me from the party, ”he said.

Kaloleni's parliamentarian, Paul Katana, supported Ms. Jumwa's feelings, saying that the handshake had caused more political tension on the coast and divided political leadership.

"However, we have realized that, as leaders, our unity of purpose must continue to be maintained even if we have different political ambitions and affiliations," he said.

STATE PROJECTS

He called on leaders to move forward with unity and not be distracted by political parties and positions.

“Recently, when the Minister of Transportation made a statement on the SGR cargo directive, we immediately met and opposed. The government withdrew its directive and that is what we need to see happen from the leadership of the Coast, ”said Mr. Katana.

However, the criticism provoked strong reactions from the leader of the National Congress of Amani, Musalia Mudavadi.

In an interview at his house in Mululu in Vihiga County, Mudavadi told Sunday Nation that there are no 'handshake projects' and that what was happening was government work.

He said that the rehabilitation of the port of Kisumu and the ongoing construction of the road from Kisumu are being financed by public funds and a World Bank grant and, therefore, should not be linked to the handshake.

Mudavadi diluted the claims that western Kenya had been set aside, saying that the projects referred to were initiated long before Kenyatta and Odinga began working together.

"Let me talk about what is mistakenly called" handshake projects. "I think we sometimes use terms in very strange ways," he said.

"If you are talking about rehabilitation of the port of Kisumu, this is a public expenditure programmed within the Ministry of Infrastructure and made through the Kenyan Ports Authority," he added.

WORLD BANK

The port will officially open next week in a ceremony that will be honored by the Chiefs