Kenyans hope economy will top Uhuru’s speech
Kenyans expect President Uhuru Kenyatta’s address on the State of the economy and cost of living.
Michael Otieno, a Mombasa resident, said he hopes the President will give further directions on the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.
“Let him inform Kenyans on the measures the government has put in place, not to wait until the last-minute like we witnessed two years ago when the first case of Covid was reported,” he said.
Collins Katambo said he expects the President to announce new measures aimed at addressing the escalating cost of living.
While citing high fuel and food prices, Katambo said the situation has placed Kenyans between a rock and a hard place, especially being in the middle of the pandemic and urged the President to make an announcement of “economic rescue.”
“Nothing will be more lifting and relieving for Kenyans than to hear the news addressing the cost of living. Cyrus Ngonyo has urged the President to address the drought situation being witnessed in parts of the Coastal region and measures put in place to cushion residents.
“I call on the Head of State to direct that mitigation measures be put in place as the ongoing drought continues to ravage parts of the country,” said Ngonyo.
In Kiambu, a section of residents are optimistic that President Uhuru will announce more measures to cushion Kenyans from economic challenges.
Religious leaders
Concerned residents expressed hope that the President will issue a ban on all international flights from countries affected by the new lethal coronavirus variant in South Africa.
Led by Mathew Mukuha, a youth leader in Gatundu North, the residents maintained that the government should heighten surveillance at all points of entry to keep the new variant.
“We cannot wait until Kenyans are infected and then rush to close the economy and unnecessary curfews. What must happen with immediate effect is a ban,” he said. Other residents urged the President to issue a directive calling off all political rallies across the country, saying major crowds concentrated in one place was a time bomb for the spread of Covid-19.
In the North Rift, residents have high expectations that the President’s address will touch on issues affecting the region.
Farmers yesterday termed Sh1,305 being offered as gate prices for a 50kg bag of maize by the National Cereals and Produce Board meagre compared to the high cost of production.
“We expect the President to address the plight of farmers, who work very hard to feed the country. The government should adjust the price of a 90kg bag of maize to at least Sh4,000,” said Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago.
A section of residents have also lamented that they have nothing to show in terms of development despite voting overwhelmingly for Jubilee government.
“Our farmers continue to suffer from poor maize prices and lack of subsidised fertiliser. The Jubilee administration has really let us down,” said Kipkorir arap Menjo, a farmer and Kenya Farmers Association director.
Residents from banditry prone counties in the North Rift region also expect the President to address the menace, which last left dozens dead since the beginning of the year.
Reporting by Sophie Njoka, Mathew Ndung’u and Wycliff Kipsang
