Ruto to Uhuru: Don't panic, we will let you leave in peace

President-elect William Ruto has reiterated his commitment to giving outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta an honourable exit once he assumes office.

Addressing the faithful at PCEA Church in, Komothai, Githunguri, yesterday, Ruto also assured Kenyans there will be a smooth transfer of power.

"We are honourable in our operations. We shall give him the respect he deserves as an outgoing president," he said. "There is no need for our opponents to panic because, like other retired presidents, our administration will fully support a peaceful and smooth handover."

During a church service in Githunguri, Kiambu county, the president-elect said the Kenya Kwanza government will protect religious freedom, as promised during the campaigns.

He praised the clergy for coming out to preach peace during the presidential results tallying at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi. Ruto allayed fears that once in power, he would settle scores with opponents. He said Kenya Kwanza achieved a 25 per cent threshold in 39 counties, up from 31 and 34 counties managed with President Kenyatta in 2013 and 2017, respectively.

Ruto thanked Mt Kenya residents for their support during the General Election on August 9.

"We now have the authority to develop every region of our country. I want to reassure both supporters and opponents of Kenya Kwanza that we are committed to ensuring every Kenyan benefits, regardless of political affiliation," he said. Ruto praised Kenyans for remaining peaceful as they await the Supreme Court's decision on the presidential petition filed by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya flag bearer Raila Odinga.

He expressed confidence that the Kenya Kwanza team would win the case and go on to work for Kenyans. "In the recently concluded elections, we buried ethnic politics. The outcome demonstrated that Kenyans can vote on a plan, issue, or agenda."

Ruto went on: "I'd like to thank all Kenyans for raising the bar in our politics. We will not disappoint you once we take office.

"We intend to use the threshold of development politics set by Kenyans in the elections to steer our country forward."

Future elections, according to the president-elect, will follow the precedent set by the August 9 polls, which raised the bar for leadership and governance in the country.

"From now on, Kenyans will elect their leaders in a peaceful manner and return to work as children return to school without interruption," he said. Rigathi Gachagua, deputy president-elect, told Mt Kenya residents that the Kenya Kwanza government will keep election promises.

"We have agreed that once we are sworn in, we will restart all projects that have stalled in the Mount Kenya region due to unpaid contractors or cheap politics. The projects are designed to provide job opportunities for our youth," he said.

"On the issue of Grand Minimum Returns of the price of milk, coffee, and tea, we set to prioritise so that our farmers can improve their livelihoods in the face of high living costs," he added.

Gachagua promised livestock farmers that the Kenya Kwanza government would lower animal feed prices to protect them from cheap imports of dairy products like milk and eggs.