President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday rolled out an economic recovery plan in what political pundits saw as a scheme to woo Mt. Kenya voters towards his preferred 2022 presidential candidate.
In his speech in Kirinyaga on Mashujaa Day celebrations, the president rolled out a well-detailed plan that will see the Mt. Kenya region benefit handsomely in his pre-exit plan.
The stimulus package will mainly seek to widen the market and offer better produce prices to tea, coffee, sugar, livestock farming — sub-sectors that are critical in putting money in peoples’ pockets or improving purchasing power.
These are some of the key economic areas where the vote-rich counties in the Mt. Kenya region rely on most for their livelihood. Out of the Sh.25 billion, people from the former Central province will get a lion’s share.
This has been viewed as a tool to win back rebellious mountaineers who have of late been tilting towards President Uhuru’s deputy.
A great section of Kikuyu leaders, especially parliamentarians, have hitherto expressed displeasure with how the president had ‘abandoned them’.
They have been of the opinion that the president only concentrated in developing other parts of Kenya where he did not enjoy wide support, nor voted for him, in the last general election.
Of late, the president has been seen as leaning towards ODM leader Raila Odinga, contrary to his pre-2013 election promise to his deputy William Ruto – whom the president promised full support after the current leader finishes his 10-year term.
In another angle seen by people as though the president wanted to show how he had achieved much in the second term (when they were at constant loggerhead with his deputy).
The president said: “The first and second stimulus packages were designed by my administration to ensure that our economy could endure shocks occasioned by the lockdown measures.”
Mr. Kenyatta said yesterday at a public meeting attended by Dr. Ruto and Mr. Odinga.
“We will be rolling out the third financial stimulus designed to accelerate the pace of economic growth and sustain gains already made,” he added.
Related: Uhuru Shames Ruto As He Names 10 Achievements He Made Since DP Was Isolated In Government
