Mudavadi pledges to revive western Kenya industries, economy
Kenya Kwanza Alliance(KKA) yesterday promised to revive collapsed industries in Western Kenya.
A section of the leadership of the alliance hinted it would repossess factories that were sold to private investors at a throw-away price.
Speaking during the third day of campaigns in the region, key KKA principals led by ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula, noted the region’s economy has been crippled by the collapse of some of the main factories like the Mumias Sugar Company.
The two were accompanied by MPs Majimbo Kalasinga, Didmas Barasa, Dan Wanyama, Ben Washiali, candidates Roselyn Atwoli, Peter Sitati, Bonnie Khalwale, Hadija Nganyi and Consolata Lusweti.
Death of industries
They noted the death of the industries had deprived the region of jobs and the economy.
Speaking in Vihiga, Webuye, Matungu, Funyula and Luanda, Mudavadi said the region’s development took a nosedive when factories like Mumias Sugar were robbed to their deathbed.
“I want to inform you that part of the agreement we have signed as Kenya Kwanza is to revive our factories and be able to create jobs,” he said in Matungu.
Mudavadi reiterated Luhya nation has no stake in the Azimio coalition headed by former prime minister Raila Odinga.
The leaders said Pan Paper Webuye Mills was sold at a throwaway price to an individual with the help of the government.
“The factory was sold at a throwaway price. We shall repossess the factory and have it running to provide employment for our people,” said Wetangula.
The team reiterated the revival of Mumias Sugar and pumping more funds to Nzoia Sugar will be a priority.
At the same time, Mudavadi called on the Government to stop using its security administration to harass members of the alliance.
The Ford Kenya leader noted that the interests of the Luhya community were safe under the alliance.
Wetangula noted that in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the alliance had made public its signed agreement.
“Musalia and I mean well for the community. Let no one cheat you that he has the interest of the community at heart more than the two of us have. I am angling for you (Western region). I am satisfied with my Senate role, and in Kenya Kwanza, we are after the interests of the region and not personal gain,” said Wetangula.
He said the time for the Luhya to be taken for a ride and treated as a climbing ladder by Raila was over. He called on the community to fully support the alliance. The two said their Azimio counterparts were in for a rude shock in August.
“We want to leave no one behind,” he said adding the Luhya community has no consideration in the Azimio line-up led by its presidential candidate Raila Odinga and patron President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The ANC leader wondered why Uhuru Kenyatta was determined to have the community back the Raila candidature while his entire region and the leadership from his own backyard is firmly in Kenya Kwanza.
