Rift Valley leaders, led by Deputy President William Ruto, yesterday reaffirmed their support to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The leaders promised to tone down the political rhetoric ahead of 2022 elections.
The leaders, who spoke during the opening of the ultra-modern Rivatex Production Plant in Eldoret, struck a conciliatory tone, while praising President Kenyatta for supporting development projects in the region.
Ruto told the President he will ensure the leaders in Jubilee Party are well behaved and support his leadership.
Not changing stand
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“We are all behind you. We know where we started. We know our role in uniting Kenyans and bringing development. We are behind you 100 per cent and we are not changing our stand,” he said
“I give you my personal commitment that I will make sure as your deputy that these other leaders don’t go astray. You can even see they behaved well today.”
The DP said the residents of Uasin Gishu have no other leader except President Kenyatta.
“We support you whether you are moving forward or backwards, left or right, up or down, even through the valleys and hills. I will continuously help you through uniting Kenyans and ensuring that we deliver what we promised our people,” he said.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi pledged to support the president, assuring him that the region was still behind Jubilee despite the politics.
“When you are in Uasin Gishu or any other place in Rift Valley region, just know that you are at home. You have a spot in the hearts of Kenyans within this region,” Sudi said.
He urged the president not to listen to “cheap gossip and hearsay” on social media.
“Just know that we have a mutual relationship and that we both want a shoulder to lean on,” said Sudi.
Sudi urged the president to focus on completing pending projects so as to leave a legacy when his term ends.
President Kenyatta told the leaders not to focus on gossip, but rather on uniting Kenyans and developing their constituencies.
He steered clear of politics and called on leaders to support Jubilee programmes, while taking an issue with the decision by National Assembly to cut funding for government priorities.
“What we want is to ensure we work and change the lives of all Kenyans. What we have done here is not the end. We will continue reviving the manufacturing sector to provide jobs for Kenyans,” Uhuru said.
Improve policies
He said Jubilee is spearheading transformation through the Big Four agenda.
“When we came here some few years ago there was a request by Moi University and its leadership that we revive this factory because of its importance to the area and its capacity to create jobs. We heard your voice,” he said.
He urged county governments to support farmers and promised that the national government will improve policies and direct interventions to enhance productivity and access to markets.
President Kenyatta directed relevant ministries to fast track the approval of BT cotton, which he said will improve farmers’ yields and meet the demand.
“BT cotton provides better yield to farmers compared to conventional cotton. We have put in place measures for Rivatex to support farmers,” he said.
