Ruto answers Uhuru, takes credit for mega Jubilee projects

 

Deputy President William Ruto addresses residents of Shinyalu Constituency in Kakamega County during an empowerement of small scale traders. [Sarafina Kaiyong, DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has fired back at President Uhuru Kenyatta over accusations of “campaigning on top of cars” instead of working.

Addressing rallies in Kakamega yesterday, Ruto told off the President, saying there was nothing wrong with “standing on top of cars” as that was in fact, one way of executing government development agenda.

“I have been in government for close to 10 years and for sure I know that you plan (development) theories in offices but implement them practically in the field, sometimes on top of cars,” he said yesterday at Likuyani.

Speaking during the launch of Universal Health Care coverage at Port Reiz Hospital, Mombasa on Monday, Uhuru faulted Ruto for embarking on early campaigns.

While denying claims of having a ‘‘project” in the coming polls, Uhuru said he would soon hit the ground running in support of the side he supports.

Yesterday, for the second day running, the President hit out at his deputy and warned Kenyans that they will have themselves to blame if they get swayed by leaders focused on politicking at the expense of implementing projects.

“Kenyans should be wary of politicians who engage in rhetoric instead of unity and development. Political rhetoric will not end poverty, it will not treat cancer or build roads,” he said.

The DP, who has been on a three day tour of Western alongside Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Musalia Mudavadi of ANC, was categorical that he deserves credit for Jubilee government’s achievements.

He said were it not for him, the Jubilee government would not be there today. “I am a deputy president in Jubilee, and I formed the government with Uhuru. You cannot deny me the credit we have achieved in government. That is not going to happen,” he said.

“I was in Cabinet planning for all the development, be it in the infrastructure or in education. So anybody imagining that they can deny me credit for the successes are misplaced,” he added.

The DP acknowledged that Jubilee flopped in key areas of governance, especially on excessive borrowing.

“But all the same it is Kenya Kwanza alliance of Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and I that is better placed to undo the wrongs unlike Azimio la Umoja movement who are obsessed with succession politics and nothing else,” he said.

Correcting the wrongs

“The only team with experience to build on the success of Jubilee administration and correct the wrongs of the last 10 years is the Kenya Kwanza, the others have no clue where we came from and where we are going,” said Ruto.

Mudavadi claimed Uhuru is the patron of Azimio. “Uhuru doesn’t want to retire like Mwai Kibaki. He wants to manage his succession. Do you want a figurehead president or one who is answerable to the masses?” He posed.

The ANC leader said ODM leader Raila Odinga has consistently been in the presidential race, terming him a stumbling block to other aspirants. He defended his alliance with Ruto saying they have similar agenda geared towards promoting the welfare of the people.

Mudavadi said the Kenya Kwanza alliance would do away with the Competence-Based Curriculum and put in place an education system that would be understandable to learners and teachers.

Wetang’ula maintained that the manifestos of ANC, UDA and Ford-Kenya were similar. “Let’s support Ruto as our captain in the Kenya Kwanza so that we take Raila to retirement,” he said.

He criticised Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli saying he never respected their move to join Ruto terming it “hypocrisy of the highest order.”

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said Kenya Kwanza was better placed to help Ruto ascend to State House in the August 9 General Election.

“Mudavadi has 35 years in politics, Wetang’ula 25 and I have been in politics for 20 years. We are a formidable team to help you in western Kenya,” he told the DP.

Senator Cleophas Malala said he was better placed to be the next governor of Kakamega.

The leaders made stopovers in Likuyani, Lugari, Khayega, Khwisero market, Sabatia trading centre in Butere and Mumias town.