Deputy President William Ruto joins worshippers during a Sunday service at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Baricho, Kirinyaga County. [DPPS]
Deputy President William Ruto has hit out at leaders who want the Constitution changed to create more political seats.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County during a church fundraiser yesterday, Dr Ruto wondered why Kenyans should be subjected to a referendum which will cost money to benefit a few.
In a thinly-veiled attack on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Ruto said it does not make sense to take Kenya through an expensive referendum “simply because an individual always cries foul whenever he loses an election”.
“Let the former Prime Minister be sincere and walk to the BBI secretariat and point out the specific clauses which he thinks should be amended for him to concede defeat in 2022,” Ruto said.
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Important matters
The deputy president said Kenyans have other important matters and should not be dragged into referendum campaigns.
He said “political con-men” were on the loose and it was time someone handled them.
“We in Jubilee made pre-election pledges which we have consistently fulfilled. We have made strides in rural electrification, provision of water, infrastructure among other development programmes,” Ruto said.
The deputy president was accompanied by several legislators allied to the Tanga Tanga political group.
He said he was focused on the Jubilee pre-election pledges whose implementation he continues to oversee.
Legislators who accompanied the deputy president vowed to stand with him in his bid for the Presidency in 2022.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua who was present at the fundraiser told Ruto that the Mt Kenya region did not owe him any political debt.
He emphasised that the region promised to walk with him throughout his 2022 journey to the presidency, and it will keep that promise.
Made up mind
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirichi said Mt Kenya people have already made up their mind who their next Head of State will be; and that is William Ruto.
“We have no doubt where our support will be come 2022. You have stood with us and we will stand with you,” said Ms Ngirichi.
She lauded the Jubilee administration of keeping most of its political pledges to the electorate.
Other legislators present and who expressed similar sentiments were Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Sholei and her Turkana counterpart Joyce Emanikoi.
Others were MPs John Kiarie, Jane Kihara, John Muchangi and George Kariuki and Senator Sapita Seneta.
