Two Jubilee Members of Parliament (MPs) have revealed why President Uhuru Kenyatta cancelled his two-day Meru tour in favour of a visit to the Western Region.
North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood and Tigania West MP David Karithi, while speaking to the Nation, on Monday revealed that the President would not visit the region because there were delays in awarding of tenders for road projects in the County.
The legislators mentioned that the President was supposed to commission major roads in the County but since some tenders had not been issued, he was forced to postpone the trip.
“We advised the President to cancel the visit because the roads that are ready for commissioning are only in Igembe, Tigania West and Buuri sub-counties.
“If he goes to launch projects in Igembe, it will be perceived that he needs Igembe votes only. We want the President to come to Meru for two days so that he can cover the whole region. There is no need for him to launch projects in one region only," Mr Dawood explained.
Mr Karithi on his part indicated that the cancellation of the visit was necessary to give contractors time to prepare the ground and for others to move to the sites.
The revelation comes a day after State House released a statement indicating that the president’s visit to the region had been cancelled "due to unavoidable circumstances".
“His excellency will not be making a two-day tour to Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties starting Tuesday, He will, however, visit Western region including; Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Busia and Kakamega," the statement read in part.
Uhuru's decision to cancel his trip to Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties at the last minute caused anger among the residents who are now accusing him of abandoning the region.
On Monday, a section of Meru residents declared that they will not vote for the Jubilee Government in the upcoming August poll.
Meanwhile, news just in indicates that the President has cancelled the tour to Western.
