President Uhuru Kenyatta says laptops for schools project to be re-launched this year

President Uhuru Kenyatta Saturday said that the government will this year re-launch the laptops project for primary schools.

He defended the government’s delay in providing the laptops to Class One pupils, saying the computers would soon be in the hands of school administrators.

“The government is true to its words. We will definitely deliver the laptop promise this year,” he said.

President Kenyatta said this while unveiling a commemorative plaque in honour of Blessed Sister Irene Stefani in Nyeri Town Saturday.

He said more than 10,000 schools had been connected to electricity and only 2,000 institutions remained to be connected.

Mr Kenyatta promised to, in a few days, launch a programme that would reduce the cost of electricity at the household level.

This, he said, will propel the youth to start businesses.

The President, at the same time, said governors must account for the money allocated to the devolved units before embarking on the Pesa Mashinani campaign.

He asked governors to focus on development rather than rallying for an increase in funding.

FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT

“We must see what you have done with the money we allocated before asking for an increase,” he said.

The commemorative plaque put up at the heart of town brought joy to Catholic faithful as hundreds gathered around it.

Nyeri County Members of Parliament who accompanied the President and his Deputy William Ruto affirmed their support for the Jubilee Alliance Party.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua assured residents the county government would maintain the expansive street lighting and complete the roads under construction.

“We have agreed with Kenya Power that lighting will continue for as long as I am governor,” he said.

There was a heavy security presence in Nyeri Town to ensure a calm environment during the beatification ceremony.

Some security officers from the Kenya Prisons Service and the General Service Unit patrolled the town on foot.

Other security personnel used vehicles while others used motorbikes.

National Youth Service officers were positioned at strategic locations in Nyeri to control traffic.

The streets remained deserted for the better part of the day.

Low business was registered because most people opted to close their businesses and attend the ceremony at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT).

Commuters complained of hiked matatu fares to destinations that were unrelated to the ceremony. Most said this inconvenienced them.

Nyeri residents had anticipated that an uncontrollable number of people to pour into the town