Ruto in campaign mode as economy strains hustlers

Local leaders have trooped to the president's functions in large numbers after mobilsing residents to attend and asking for development projects while praising the President for issuing land title deeds and launching roads.

Politics has generally dominated many of those meetings instead of the development agenda contained in the Kenya Kwanza county development economic forum reports gathered last year.

In Busia yesterday, where President launched the Mulukhoba fish landing site, area MP Raphael Wanjala of ODM was among those who welcomed the president and used to the opportunity to request for the upgrading of the stadium in Port Victoria.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua caused laughter at the well-attended meeting when he demanded that area MP Raphael Wanjala writes a letter committing that roads will not be destroyed and the stadium vandalised by opposition supporters during protests.

The president tweeted that leaders present included Mary Emase (Teso South), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), Catherine Wambilyanga (Bungoma), Erick Muchangi (Runyenjes) and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon).

Others were John Bunyasi, Mwambu Mabonga, Chris Wamalwa, Petronilla Were, Bonface Otsyula, Wesley Korir and Benjamin Washiali.

Critics claim colossal sums of money that can be used to equip dispensaries or build libraries and laboratories are spent by the president and his entourage at each of those meetings.

They say it is imprudent for him to traverse the country issuing title deeds and launching all manner of projects, which can be done by his juniors.

President William Ruto during the official opening of The Maa Cultural Festival at the Sekenani Gate, Maaasai Mara, Narok County. [PCS]

Prof Naituli thinks the president should in his first three years be spending more time in office instead of appearing to be campaigning because he has to deliver on a lot of promises he made to the people of Kenya.

Those sentiments were echoed by Lumala who urged President Ruto not to make more promises at public rallies when he already has enough on his desk.

"We don't need him in rallies and churches every weekend because it is also eating into government resources. Remember he went around and created economic blocks in all counties that are all awaiting action," said Lumala.

He called for the prudent use of the limited resources in the country and also asked the President to operate from his office and better the country.

The dons also requested the presidents to conduct his business from an academic perspective and ensure that research informs his policies.

"Let us see more of research in his speeches through statistics which will show that there is some serious thinking informing his messaging," says Lumala.

The pundits, however, cautioned that repeated attacks against Azimio and the nusu mkate narrative is a tired story.

They likened the noise to a stuck stylus on a vinyl record which must be jump started for the music to continue which becomes rather annoying to the dancer.

Asked why the Kenya Kwanza leaders continue talking about it when Azimio says it is not interested, Lumala pointed at the international community and other interested parties who could be pushing that narrative.

"The pressure of this nusu mkate thing could be coming from out there and that is why you people like Senator Chris Coons here and other players like the African Union," added Lumala.

"But the focus should no longer be on the opposition because as it is, that continues to be the main agenda, instead of implementing their manifesto," added Lumala.