President urges end to rustling

President Kibaki asked pastoralist communities to shun cattle rustling saying that the practice was outdated. The President, who is campaigning in the North Rift today, visited Kakuma in Turkana North, Alale and Kacheliba in Pokot North district and Makutano in West Pokot district yesterday, Friday, where he asked voters to re-elect him for a second term.

Addressing wananchi in Kacheliba, he asked parents to take their children to school and emphasised on the importance of educating girls.Adding that the Government would set up three girls’ schools in the area.

The President said the Government had managed to stamp out insecurity in the area and was in the process of expanding the rural electrification programme to cover more areas.

The Head of State noted that the country’s economy had improved and that 93 per cent of its development programmes were financed by Kenyan tax payers.

He renewed his promise of free secondary education and asked parents to enrol their children in schools, warning that those who will fail to do so would face the law.

The President added that the Government would provide soft loans to pastoralist to restock their animals decimated by drought.

Earlier, the President opened the new district headquarters for Pokot North District at Alale and created additional administrative divisions of Kanyerus and Ompolion.

He also elevated Kacheliba division into a sub-district.

The President was accompanied by ministers John Michuki, Musikari Kombo and PNU candidate for Kacheliba constituency, the Rev John Lodinyo.

Elsewhere, Mrs Kibaki urged parents in the country to protect their children from unscrupulous politicians especially on election day eve so that the youths could be sober during the polling day.