President Uhuru Kenyatta urged Kenyans not to vote for his deputy William Ruto on Thursday, August 4, 2022, saying his web of lies threatens the country’s economic and democratic growth.
Uhuru said Ruto’s claim that no projects had been initiated during the Jubilee government’s second term was a lie intended to mislead gullible voters.
“If he can lie on small issues that there are no projects which people can see, what will he do if he ascends to power? We must reject pathological liars and elect people who are honest,” he said.
He declared that it was time for Raila Odinga and his running mate, Martha Karua, of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, to lead the country characterizing them as principled leaders with integrity.
The president spoke after commissioning and launching several Mombasa development projects that he said were initiated during his second term.
Uhuru inaugurated the 457-meter Makupa Bridge, which cost Sh4.5 billion to build. The bridge connects Mombasa Island to Kenya’s hinterland.
He stated that the bridge will facilitate the movement of goods and people between the island and the mainland, strengthening Mombasa’s position as a preferred shipping hub.
“The bridge restores Mombasa to its true island status,” said President Kenyatta. Mombasa lost island status in 1929 after the British colonial administration constructed Makupa Causeway.
The causeway divided the waters that surrounded Mombasa Island into two channels: Tudor Creek to the east and Port Reitz Creek to the west. This restricted the free movement of water and marine life.
“The water can now move freely and Mombasa’s status as an international island has now been restored. This is a project launched in 2020 but still someone will tell you nothing happened in my second term,” said Uhuru.
The president launched the Sh40 billion Kilindini Oil Terminal at the Port of Mombasa, which is expected to improve the efficiency of oil imports.
He also commissioned the rehabilitation of the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line, which will help people get to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminal at Miritini.
“We were able to complete most of these projects because of peace,” he said.
The rehabilitation of the MGR and construction of a section of the SGR where they will connect, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, will cost Sh4.5 billion.
“The 3km MGR will be linked with the SGR so that passengers heading to the Miritini terminal do not incur the current high cost of transport from town,” said Mr Macharia.
The president also unveiled the Liwatoni Fishing Complex, which will help the country capitalize on the Blue Economy.
“His excellence will later bid farewell to seafarers who have secured job with international shipping lines,” said the CS.
