Ruto meets North Rift leaders to calm disquiet

BY SILAH KOSKEI and MICHAEL OLLINGA

NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto on Tuesday met elected leaders from the North Rift in what is believed to be mending the fences after his recent visit to his home turf was termed as a failure.

During the visit where he had accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to give thanks to the area residents who massively voted for the ruling coalition, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter turned to be main man after he pointed out URP members had been shortchanged by TNA.

During the meeting Ruto called on leaders from URP to remain united irrespective of issues they feel are not favouring them in the Jubilee government.

Uasin Gishu County Assembly Leader of Majority Josphat Lowoi, who attended the closed door meeting, said Ruto whom they perceive as their political counsellor, called on them to settle whatever issues they are dissatisfied with while still in the party if they are to achieve their vision.

Ruto told the leaders who felt that basic issues of the residents were not addressed during the thanksgiving meeting that the Jubilee government  will establish a fertiliser processing firm in the region before 2017 to boost agriculture in the area.

According to Lowoi, Ruto accepted the fact area residents who largely depend on farming have not achieved their development targets for a long time due to expensive farm inputs.

He added they were promised they would receive fertiliser in time, saying that 40,000 tonnes of the commodity had already arrived in the country with an extra 100,000 still in high seas and will arrive by January 5.

The meeting, which took place in one of the palatial hotels in Eldoret, saw members of the county assembly and governors drawn from North Rift meet the Deputy President.

Ruto is said to have promised the leaders of plans to establish a fertiliser factory in the region, which will help most farmers access the crucial input during planting.

Road construction

Lewoi added that Ruto is keen on  prioritising road repair and construction in the region specifically the Ziwa and Lodwar roads.

In a clear reference to the recent remarks expressed by Keter, Ruto noted that empty talk will not stop him from working.

“We have a lot to achieve and those shouting will not stop us from serving the interest of Kenyans,” he said.

The closed door meeting saw governors from Turkana and West Pokot missing from the lunch due to the short notice they received.

The meeting comes one week after farmers from the region complained of empty promises made by the two leaders.

Area farmers undermined the President’s talk of acquiring fertiliser, saying it has no greater value to them if the market price of their products is still wanting.

Kenya Farmers Association Director Kipkorir Menjo faulted area leaders for squandering an ample opportunity to air their concerns to the President and his deputy and concentrated on petty politicking, which has derailed the region’s development.

“The leaders should have asked for a solution to the farmers’ needs, we need driers at the moment because our maize cannot be received at the cereals board without attaining required moisture content,” he said.

According to Menjo, the consistent rains experienced in the area led to maize rotting in the farms and has also made it difficult for the farmers to sufficiently dry their produce.