Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on all elected leaders to take their responsibilities seriously and deliver services to the people.
Mudavadi highlighted the role of Members of County Assembly, as part of the elected leaders, noting that they should understand that devolution is a critical component of governance under the 2010 Constitution.
He emphasised that, as stipulated under their functions, MCAs should prioritise legislation and bills that facilitate service delivery and spearhead development at the county level. He said leaders should respect and act upon the mandate given to them by the people.
He made these remarks at the 45th Logooli Cultural Festival in Mbale, Vihiga County.
“Leaders at all levels should take responsibility and stop this habit of pushing the blame to the next person. Every leader must deliver on what they are supposed to do as elected leaders.” Mudavadi warned.
Citing the resolutions passed at last year’s 44th edition of this festival, he added that MCAs should have enacted legislation by now to have the Mbale Cultural Grounds gazetted, allowing for the commencement of its modernisation as our cultural centre.
Mudavadi, who also serves as the patron of the Vihiga Cultural Society, which is responsible for organising the Logooli Cultural Festival, noted that culture fosters national unity and should be supported at all costs.
“I love the people of this region and I love our culture, we should never allow it to die, it has to prosper. I am proud to be a Maragoli and a Luhya, but I am more proud to be a Kenyan. We need to remain united even as we conserve our culture.” he added.
Mudavadi used the platform to defend the government’s position in supporting Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union chairmanship, indicating that January next year will be a busy month for President William Ruto and himself as they embark on a campaign for Odinga ahead of the February elections.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary stated they are supporting Raila’s bid unconditionally because they believe in his potential to elevate the African Union to great heights.
“We have confidence in Raila and are supporting him to the best of our ability,” said Mudavadi.
He asserted that Odinga is, first and foremost, a Kenyan leader with vast expertise, and his vision and credentials position him as the right candidate for the role.
He added that Odinga has also demonstrated himself to be a leader who will advance the collective aspirations for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Africa. He cautioned against the political class introducing conditions in their support for Odinga.
“There should be no conditionalities; even President Ruto is supporting him without any conditions,” Mudavadi said
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also urged the residents of the region, as well as other Kenyans, to embrace the new Social Health Insurance Fund under the Taifa Care umbrella. He stated that Kenyans should not fall into the trap set by those opposing the rollout and implementation of the new healthcare scheme.
He has warned that those opposing the new scheme have a hidden agenda to continue crippling the health sector, thus denying Kenyans the benefits of a new universal healthcare plan.
“Other regions through sensitization and the call by their leaders are registering in big numbers knowing that they will benefit from the equipment and other support using their numbers. Nyeri, Embu, Narok, Kirinyaga and many other counties are now ranging to 30-40 percentage registration and here in Vihiga we are still staggering at a mere 12-13 percent. We need to be serious and stop introducing politics into this matter.” he warned.
Regarding the issue of insecurity in Vihiga County, the Prime Cabinet Secretary assured residents that he would take personal responsibility as one of the senior-most leaders in government from the region and ensure security is improved and lives are protected.
Insecurity in Vihiga County has escalated dramatically, alarming residents due to a surge in violent incidents day and night.
“I will take responsibility and ensure normalcy returns to avert fear among residents,” he said.
The 44th Loloogoli cultural festival, under the theme “Komenya M’bugwi”—which literally means “living (Komenya) in a new land occupancy (Vugwi),” referring to land acquired by the Mulogooli in a locality other than their ancestral habitation in current Vihiga County—attracted thousands of locals and invited guests from across the country and beyond, including the Azerbaijan ambassador to Kenya, Sultan Hajiyev.
