Raila Odinga to blame for collapse of Big Four, says Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto engaged wananchi during the empowerment program at Cheptais Market, Mount Elgon, Bungoma County. [DPPS, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has pledged to revive the Big Four Agenda if elected president in 2022, claiming it was “hijacked” by ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Ruto, who toured Bungoma County yesterday to drum up support for his presidential bid, said the Big Four Agenda has been entrenched in his bottom-up economic model.

“It was all well until Raila cut in on us (Jubilee) with the ‘change the Constitution initiative’ under BBI. Everything went asunder, including the Big Four Agenda meant to create jobs for the millions of our learned but jobless youth in the country,” he said yesterday at Sirisia market.

“We will resuscitate the Big Four so that the youth get jobs. That doesn’t mean I will do away with the bottom-up economy model. I will incorporate the two to kick-start the dwindling economy in my first year in office.”

The DP claimed he has been “belittled” by his competitors yet they have inferior achievements compared to his and said Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) are leaders who served in past regimes but did nothing to improve the welfare of Kenyans.

“They have held the prime minister, vice president and deputy prime minister posts but show me what they did with the posts compared to what I have done as DP in Jubilee government in terms of road, water and electricity connectivity,” he said. “Kazi yao ni kunipangia tu (Theirs is to scheme against me).”

Ruto said he managed to initiate development projects in Bungoma County including tarmacking of roads and construction of four technical training colleges.

The DP urged the Bukusus, the largest voting bloc in Western which has traditionally sided with Moses Wetang'ula’s Ford Kenya, to back his presidential bid, saying that he had better chances of winning.

“UDA has the backing of some 155 MPs across the country including your own John Waluke, Boni Khalwale, Dan Wanyama, Didmus Barasa, Mwambu Mabonga, Benjamin Washiali and John Waluke” he said. “Join us and help defeat the politics of tribalism and arrogance.”

At Sirisia and Cheptaisi, Ruto gave  Sh1.5 million to be shared between boda boda riders and the women present.

At Kimateti market, Ruto donated Sh700, 000 to women groups.

He also made stopovers at Mianga and Chepkube markets.