I won't succumb to threats ahead of election, Ruto tells government

 

Deputy President William Ruto addressing Wananchi at Kiminini Market, Trans Nzoia County. [DPPS]

 

Deputy President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza team yesterday vowed they shall not be cowed by threats from the government and competitors.

Their remarks came a day after Interior CS Fred Matiang’i threatened to spill the beans on Dr Ruto. 

The DP who was with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula met residents and leaders from Trans Nzoia county at the Kitale Club.

Dr Ruto said he was ready to face off with rivals in the August 9 General Election. “Our competitors are selling fear. I am told they are telling locals they will lose land. Tell them you will not buy fear and to look for an agenda to sell to the people,” he said.

He promised Kenya Kwanza will sign a charter with the people of Trans Nzoia ahead of the polls.

Dr Ruto said the Kenya Kwanza team is changing the political discourse by engaging ordinary Kenyans in their counties. 

High cost of farm input and fuel, as well as difficulty in growing small businesses, fluctuating maize prices, lack of access to credit, and unemployment, were among the issues raised by residents.

The DP promised that his administration will reduce the cost of fertiliser from Sh6,000 to Sh2,500 ahead of the next planting season.

He said Kenya Kwanza’s small and medium enterprise fund will attract an interest of five percent, to help businesses grow. 

“We want deliberate government programmes that will create jobs for Kenyan youth. That will be our priority number one.” 

“Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu among other counties are the food basket of Kenya and we will not allow subdivision of land,” he added. 

The DP continued: “We want 5,000 housing units in Kitale which will create jobs for the youth.” Mr Mudavadi promised Kenya Kwanza’s top agenda would be to revive the economy by first listening to Kenyans. 

The ANC leader said Kenya Kwanza will guard the Constitution against attempts by certain individuals bent on changing it for selfish reasons. 

“We must separate lies from the truth. We want a President who will serve all Kenyans and those who are selling fear that Kenya Kwanza will divide the country have no agenda. They will be shocked,” Mr Mudavadi said. 

Mr Wetang’ula promised that the Kenya Kwanza government will enhance cooperation between the counties and the national government as enshrined in the Constitution.

“We will have a government where participation at every level is key. We want to be held accountable for the pledges we make,” he said. 

The Kenya Kwanza leaders accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of betraying the Western region.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi told Dr Ruto to make NHIF free for universal access to health services. 

Mr Muturi chided Mr Odinga for the proposed Baba Care programme, saying he copied it from USA’s Obama Care. He claimed Baba Care was an amorphous programme that will not help the poor.  “I urge you to reject Mr Odinga and his unclear programmes. Kenya Kwanza will form a caring and a listening government,” he said. 

Starehe MP Charles Njagua who lost to Eala MP Simon Mbugua during the UDA primaries said Kenya Kwanza is more popular than Azimio in Nairobi. 

Others leaders who accompanied Dr Ruto were Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Didimus Barasa (Kimilili), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) and Robert  Pukose (Endebess).