This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
On Mashujaa Day, governors across the country used the occasion to rally their constituents and address pressing issues affecting their regions. In Meru County, Governor Kiraitu Murungi warned that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would suffer the same fate as the Punguza Mizigo Bill if it failed to address county development issues.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kinoru Stadium, Governor Kiraitu stated that governors would reject a report by the task-force if it did not capture counties' interests. He emphasized that governors would scrutinize the report and reject it if it did not recommend the addition of funds to grassroots development.
Elsewhere, in Homa Bay County, county government officials failed to attend Mashujaa Day celebrations at Sero Polytechnic, with only Homa Bay Central MCA Julius Nyambok in attendance. County Commissioner Harman Shambi called for unity between officials in national and county governments.
Deputy County Commissioner Kimutai Ng'eny urged county government officials to attend such events to inform residents of their development plans. In the South Rift, leaders called for the government to beef up security in areas affected by cattle rustling and rising incidents of suicide and sex crimes.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi challenged security agencies to work with local leaders to find a lasting solution to insecurity. He emphasized that security personnel should be well-equipped to tackle the issue.
Other governors used the occasion to address pressing issues in their regions. In Kericho County, County Commissioner Moses Mbaruku expressed concern over rising suicide cases, revealing that at least 12 people were taking their own lives every month.
Governor Paul Chepkwony spoke of the historical injustices meted against members of the Talai clan and Kipsigis community by the British colonial government. In Bomet County, County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding warned of an alarming rise in rape and defilement cases in the region.
He assured residents that police would deal harshly with suspects to curb the menace. In Nyandarua County, Governor Francis Kimemia announced that his administration would start paying for the health insurance of all freedom fighters.
He emphasized that these heroes should be taken care of and that his government would ensure they did not pay a penny when hospitalized. Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o said his administration would name Ring Road after Baby Samantha Pendo, who became the face of the bloody 2017 post-election violence.
He also announced plans to construct a 10,000-capacity small traders' commercial centre to improve the working conditions of small-scale traders who were recently evicted from the town centre.
Elsewhere, in Garissa County, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane expressed support for the BBI report. In Nakuru County, Governor Lee Kinyanjui led celebrations in Naivasha town for the first time, going against a long-held tradition of holding the event at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru town.
