Ruto to Raila: Don't wait to be endorsed

Deputy President William Ruto has urged leaders to seek the mandate of Kenyans instead of waiting for endorsements. 

He said there was a section of leaders seeking the endorsement of President Uhuru Kenyatta despite having opposed him since 2002.

“But they cannot harvest where they did not sow,” he said.

Ruto told the politicians that Kenyans were no longer ignorant and would only elect leaders who have solutions to their challenges.

“Stop deceiving yourselves. If you want leadership in Kenya, it is the people to decide,” he said.

He spoke yesterday in Kwale and Mombasa counties where he launched several development projects.

He was accompanied by MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Anuar Loitiptip (Lamu), Lydia Haika (Taita Taveta), Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Faisal Bader (Msambweni), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Mohamed Ali (Nyali) and Owen Baya (Kilifi North).

The DP said the hustler narrative is guided by the drive to uplift the standards of living of ordinary Kenyans at the base of the wealth pyramid. 

He said he would continue championing the remodeling of the country's economic approach in favour of the poor.

"We must change the economic model of the country and have more resources at the bottom,” said Ruto.

The MPs said efforts by leaders to amend the Constitution were misplaced priorities.

They said the funds set aside for the BBI should instead be channelled to programmes that would directly benefit citizens.

“We are not in a constitutional crisis. We do not need BBI. We need Kenyans to be empowered,” said Kemosi.

Taita Taveta Woman Rep Lydiah Haika said BBI proposals would undermine the position of women in leadership as outlined in the current Constitution.