As Kitui County gears up to host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, local leaders are setting the tone for the President’s visit.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua Kiio, speaking at the Full Gospel Church, extended an invitation to President William Ruto, while also calling for a respectful and issue-based engagement during the celebrations.
Senator Kiio expressed concerns over previous remarks made by the President while in Garissa, where Ruto suggested that Kitui residents lacked expertise in livestock farming and vaccination. Kiio urged the President to refrain from making such comments during his visit to kitui.
“Kama atakuja Kitui, asitukane sisi na asitukane mtu yeyote akiwa kwa mchanga ya Kitui. Aje tu na heshima, shughuli zake amalize na arudi. Ile ametutukana juzi akiwa Garissa imetosha,” Kiio stated.
Despite his concerns, Senator Kiio assured that Kitui residents might not be good at livestock farming but would extend their signature hospitality, serving the President ‘ndengu’ (green grams) the one thing they are good at while emphasizing the need for honesty in leadership.
He urged the President to follow through on his promises warning against false assurances, stating that Kitui residents expect tangible action rather than empty rhetoric promises.
“Kama anataka kutusaidia sisi, atuletee dawa ya ndengu, na ile siku atafika huku, I want to promise him, we will serve you ndengu, hiyo tutakupikia,” He went on.
“Kama President anakuja huku, asitudanganye. Sisi hatutaki kudanganywa. Wewe ukitenga na ukipanga, tutaona, usituambie umepanga nini. Tuambie ile umefanya,” The Senator added.
Beyond the Madaraka Day discussions, Senator Kiio took a swipe at President Ruto’s political strategies, blaming him for Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union (AU) chairmanship.
“If the President played good politics, Raila perhaps would have become the AU chairman,” Kiio remarked.
