President Uhuru Kenyatta has chastised his deputy, William Ruto, for promising to re-establish port operations in Mombasa.
Yesterday, at the groundbreaking ceremony for a Sh90 billion Turkish Special Economic Zone (SEZ) next to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (NICD), the president called Ruto’s promise populist and deceptive.
He predicted that the Turkish special economic zone would generate up to Sh500 billion in revenue per year.
“There is nothing worse than politics of deception, disrespect, intimidation, and insults that do not provide food on the table.” “I heard a leader I won’t name say we’ve taken the port from Mombasa to Naivasha,” Uhuru said.
“I can’t transport the ocean to Naivasha.” That can only be done by God. Not even the most powerful president can. “We brought this railway here to attract investors who would not have come otherwise,” he explained.
He accused Ruto of doublespeak, claiming that Kenyans had figured out his political ploys.
“I see no reason for someone to call Naivasha residents his hustlers and then go to Mombasa and say something completely different.” “Doublespeak is unacceptable,” Uhuru stated.
He also chastised the DP for his constant attacks on the handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga, claiming that it had resulted in tangible development for Kenyans.
“You claim that the handshake had no effect. What exactly is this? The leader has served in government and continues to criticize this. “People in other areas, too, deserve a change in their lives,” he said.
The president announced the establishment of similar special economic zones in Nyanza and Murang’a, which will transform Kenya into a net exporter of goods and create jobs.
While assuring Kenyans of a peaceful election on August 9, Uhuru urged residents to vote for Raila as his successor, saying he has the ability to industrialize the country.
The dream of a functioning special economic zone, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, is getting closer to reality, with residents set to receive fluoride-free water for the first time.
“The Nairobi-Maai Mahiu SGR was accelerated to ensure the success of this SEZ.” It included additional power generation and water supply for the local community and the entire country,” Macharia explained.
Governor Kinyanjui thanked President Obama for defending the ICD, calling its implementation “visionary” in a country with high unemployment.
He promised to work with local leaders to keep the depot and economic zone running after Uhuru leaves office. “What has been a dream for the last five years has now become a reality.”