Mudavadi promises to deliver fruits of devolution

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has promised Coast residents that they would enjoy the fruits of devolved government. Describing himself as the “champion of the devolved government system”, Mr Mudavadi said he was the best person to implement the Constitution, especially the clauses on devolved government. He said through his guidance devolution would get rid of landlessness, exploitation of natural resources, insecurity and unemployment. Mr Mudavadi, who is gunning for the presidency on a United Democratic Forum (UDF) ticket, was addressing a rally at Mombasa’s Tononoka Grounds in Mvita constituency. “No business can be transacted where insecurity prevails. This will affect the farmer in the rural area, the businessman in the urban area and the tourism sector,” he said. Drew applause Urging Kenyans to back his bid, Mr Mudavadi drew applause when described himself as Lionel Messi, the Barcelona football star, saying: “Pele was a good player in his time. But because of his age, he can no longer play like Messi.” Referring to the scramble for land in Lamu, the DPM warned that speculators were buying plots in Lamu with the intention of selling them back to the government at inflated prices. “Under the new laws, no lands commissioner will approve a transaction without involving all stakeholders,” he said. He reiterated a pledge to initiate debate on the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council in Parliament, saying this would happen on Tuesday. “We will support a motion to be introduced by Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni to try and resolve the impasse between the government and MRC. We must lend them an ear because they are Kenyans,” he said. Mr Mudavadi was accompanied by Housing minister Soita Shitanda and MPs Boni Khalwale, Justus Kizito, Jeremiah Kioni, Manyala Keah and Nderitu Muriithi.