Kindiki calls out opposition for politicizing Raila’s health

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called out opposition leaders for playing cheap politics with the health of Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga.

Prof. Kindiki said it is shameful and un-African for leaders to make the health of a senior and respected national leader a derogative topic in their political rallies.

“Mzee Raila Odinga is safe and healthy. Those who are wishing him ill are not good people because it is against African tradition to wish anybody ill even your worst enemy,” said Prof. Kindiki.

The Deputy President spoke on Monday in Alego Usonga, Siaya County, during Resource Mobilization for Boda Boda Saccos in the County.

The event was hosted by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.

He said he had spoken with the leader, who hails from the County, affirming he is steady and strong and keen on the development of the nation. 

“I have spoken with him and he is fine and resting. He has welcomed us to Siaya and he will be back soon to face those who wished him bad,” DP noted.

Under the Broad-Based government, DP stated, every part of the country will be developed in spite of political, regional and religious affiliations. He said the government was fully behind President Ruto’s collaboration with Mr. Odinga and other allied leaders.

“We respect them. They are working together, leading us and we are following them. We respect them, make no mistake the future of Kenya is broad-based,” he affirmed. 

Prof. Kindiki also praised Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was present and earlier hosted the DP at his office, for working with the broad-based government to ensure faster development of the County.

“Governor James Orengo is a towering figure, larger than life, an impeccable, successful and accomplished senior counsel who we respect immensely and we will work together to develop this County,” he said.

Siaya County is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the broad-based arrangement, having received multiple projects worth billions of shillings that have boosted incomes for locals.

Together with the other counties along Lake Victoria, they have benefitted from Sh3.1 billion for fish landing sites and associated infrastructure in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Busia and Siaya as a commitment to the economic development of the Nyanza region.

Presently, nine fish landing sites are under construction in the region. They include Luanda-Kotieno fish landing site worth Sh134 million which has been completed and is operational. Two more in Kokach, Wichlum each costing Ksh.150 million are underway.

Siaya County is also among the counties that have received the highest number of markets being constructed with 25 of them in various stages of completion.

They are being built in Siaya, Usenge, Yala, Bondo, Ukwala among others.

Affordable houses and institutional hostels are also coming up in various sites bringing to a total of Ksh.35 billion worth of investment in the County by the Ruto administration.

‎"A total of Ksh.35 billion has been set aside to develop institutional housing, affordable housing and modern markets in Siaya, making the County one of the biggest beneficiaries of the affordable housing program in the country," DP noted.

‎‎Also, Ksh.1.5 billion has been allocated for last mile electricity connection targeting powering 16,200 additional households in Siaya.

Siaya Stadium is also being revamped at a cost of Ksh.550 million to elevate it to international standards.

“There is no other government that has invested heavily in the blue economy in Lake Victoria and Coastal regions like Ruto’s government,” Prof. Kindiki indicated.

The DP also urged the residents to continue registering for SHA medical cover saying 430, 000 residents had already enrolled out of 995, 000.