I dont visit central Kenya because of leadership wrangles- President Kenyatta

Following the 5^th National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit at Sagana State Lodge, President Uhuru Kenyatta held a side meeting with leaders from Central Kenya.

During the Friday meeting, President Kenyatta chastised the leaders about disunity, saying that infighting amongst the leaders posed a major stumbling block for development in the region.

The president stated that the revival of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme has been stalled because of leadership wrangles and conflict over compensation. He also put Nyandarua County leaders on the spot saying unnecessary debates about wind turbines had put a major renewable energy project on hold.

Addressing the more than 2000 leaders present, the Head of State, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Gatundu Constituency, said that squabbling amongst leaders kept him from visiting Central Kenya.

“I like to visit Central Kenya often but I have a problem. There is so much infighting between local leaders here and the problem is that all of the leaders are my friends. And whenever I visit, they fight in front of me,” said the President.

President Kenyatta called on leaders to unite, saying that harmony amongst leaders paves the way for development.

Reviving the coffee industry

Addressing the ailing coffee industry that has been the economic backbone of several counties within the region, president Kenyatta announced that the government would set up a high-level committee to look into the challenges faced by the sector.

Even as the committee looks at the coffee industry at a national level, the head of state urged leaders to address mismanagement within the local coffee societies.

“We will name a committee to look into the coffee issues next week but as the Government tries to help you, you have to look into how coffee societies are managed,” said the President.

He reiterated the government’s support for the sector saying, ““The Government will do all that it can to make coffee a profitable crop again. If it means changing the laws on coffee licensing and controls so be it.”

Historically, coffee has been one of Kenya’s key exports – with the cash crop being grown in Kenya heavily during the colonial period. Over the years, profits have been dwindling and this has seen farmers uproot their bushes in favour of other crops.