Madaraka Day event where Government bent to the whims of the Opposition

 

President William Ruto led Kenyans in the celebration of the 62nd Madaraka Day at Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County on Sunday.

Homa Bay County governor Gladys Wanga used the occasion to heap praises on Ruto's broad-based government and the numerous economic development that her region had benefited as a result of their cooperation.

Wanga applauded the president for initiating a dual-carriage road network in Homa Bay town and the establishment of national government funded modern fish market in the region.

The Madaraka Day event that was feted in Raila Odinga’s stronghold was themed: Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.

What Raila Odinga said

The protocol was altered when Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki invited former Prime Minister and the doyen of opposition politics, Raila Odinga to speak.

Raila asserted that the holding of the event in Homa Bay county was a clear testimony that 'coalition works’.

The former premier rose to the occasion and urged President Ruto to compensate those who died and those who were injured during the Gen Zs protest. 

His appeal came days after the president sought a public apology during a national prayer event.

Raila also requested the Head of State not to resurrect the provincial administration which, in his view, was a relic of colonial administration.

The firebrand opposition leader pressed for allocation of more resources to counties for effective service delivery. He advocated for the allocation of Kshs. 450billions to counties.

What Slovenia President said

The national event was graced by the president of Slovenia Natasa Musar. 

Natasa pressed for the unity of African countries and lauded efforts of the founding fathers creation of the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU) which has since morphed itself into Africa Union (AU).

The Slovenian leader drove Kenyans down the memory lane where she grew up in former Yugoslavia and their historical non-alignment to the Cold War.

Natasa's advocacy for multilateralism in the quest of unity was evident in her Madaraka Day speech. 

“Through unity countries are able to combat global challenges such as Climate Change,” stated the visiting president.

Ruto's assertion

President William Ruto revealed how the bottom up economic model had transformed the lifes of many Kenyans.

Ruto echoed the handing over of several houses in Mukuru under the Affordable Housing Project, initiated by his government.

Ahead of Ruto's address, Housing PS Charles Hinga, had paraded 3 beneficiaries of the Housing Scheme and praised the president for making many homeless Kenyans to own houses.

The president disclosed how the rent to house ownership model had worked to the chagrin of many naysayers.

Ruto also expressed interest in expanding aquaculture from lakeside region to other parts of the country, including arid and semi arid regions.