MBUGUA DECLARES NAKURU NO-GO ZONE FOR SIGNATURES

Nakuru governor Kinuthia Mbugua has castigated politicians making calls for a referendum terming them insincere and out to destabilise the Jubilee government development strides.

The governor accused some of his colleagues in Central and South Rift of conducting underground referendum campaigns in Nakuru county where their agents have rolled out the process of picking signatures of the rural populace promising them land among other goodies if they support the bid to have a referendum.

Addressing the media after receiving some referendum exercise materials delivered to his office by resident of Njoro, Kuresoi North and South constituencies, Mbugua praised citizens for rejecting favours in place of a smooth system of governance.

Mbugua urged those behind the move to observe the provisions on boundaries and refrain from engaging in campaigns in areas where leaders have rubbished the vote.  

 Flanked by more 30 members of the county assembly, the governor declared that Nakuru is a sovereign county that cannot receive orders or be blackmailed by forces outside it borders.

Mbugua maintained that with him as the county governor, no politician will be allowed to interfere with the peaceful co-existence enjoyed by residents in the name of drumming up support for a referendum.

“The Nakuru county stand over calls for a referendum is known and well articulated countrywide. We are against any efforts to defile the constitution just a year after the general election. We are fully behind President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto,” added Mbugua.

Deputy governor Joseph Rutto on his part urged communities living in Nakuru county to support the Jubilee government to deliver pledges and ignore leaders who want to snatch power through the backdoor.

URP and TNA officials also rubbished calls for a referendum urging the governor to remain focused and tough on his stand.

The officials dared the governors to resign and seek fresh mandate instead of working against the stand of parties and the government in power.

The books containing referendum signatures and other materials are said to be in circulation in Kalenjin strongholds of Kuresoi North and South and other areas such as Olenguruone, Keringet, Tinet, Kiptororo, Kamara, and Sirikwa.

Other areas in Molo and Njoro include Marioshoni and Sachagwan while in Njoro, residents have reported that the books were delivered by agents of “Pesa Mashinani” to Neissuet, Mau Narok, Likia, Lare and Kihingo.

Mbugua said the national government does not require any push by governors or politicians of Cord in order to increase funding to the devolved government.

He argued that the government had called on the governor to discuss their grievances but those unsatisfied were rebelling against the government to attract attention and political mileage.