Ruto says forces operating abroad out to divide nation

President William Ruto, Energy CS Davis Chirchir and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRCO) Engineer John Mativo during the commissioning of Kimuka Electrical Sub Station, Kajiado West, Kajiado County. [PCS]

President William Ruto has urged politicians to refrain from using shortcuts to ascend to power.

The President said Kenya is a democratic country where the people decide the fate of a nation's leadership.

He appealed to Kenyans and leaders to shun acts of violence that undermine the country's peace and stability.

"There is no need for disrupting peace, causing violence or using shortcuts. Kenyans are clever and they will decide how Kenya will move forward," he said.

President Ruto warned "forces operating abroad" who were hell bent on dividing the nation, that their schemes will not succeed.

He urged leaders to execute their mandate diligently, knowing that they will face the electorate in 2027 to account for their time in office.

"There is no need to fight each other now; let us wait for the 2027 test and see who will win and who will lose," he said.

The President made these remarks at Kimuka, Kajiado County, where he commissioned the Kimuka Sub-Station that will serve over 600,000 residents in Karen, Dagoretti, Kikuyu, Kabete, Ngong, Matasia, Magadi and Ngemwa.

The 220/66KV sub-station will strengthen the existing distribution network and help offload 80 megawatts from the Nairobi North Sub-Station.

Ruto said the substation will reduce system instability, ensuring adequate and reliable power supply in the Nairobi Metropolitan area and Kajiado county.

The Head of State assured Junior Secondary School teachers that despite the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024 there are plans to employ them under permanent and pensionable terms.

"I had plans to employ 20,000 more teachers, but I will pause that plan until next year," he said.

Ruto said the government is keen to build a country that is inclusive and one that every Kenyan will be proud of.

He committed to roll out the Universal Health Coverage to ensure Kenyans access affordable medicare.

Present were Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, MPs Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), George Sunkuyia (Kajiado West), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central) and Marsabit Senator Said Chute.

Governor Lenku promised to continue supporting the government to achieve development agenda.

"The responsibility of building our nation is a joint venture that calls for concerted efforts," he said.

Ichung'wah claimed that there were deliberate plans by individuals he termed political scavengers hell-bent on distracting the government from implementing its agenda and dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.

He said the group has been inciting Kenyans against MPs.

"We want to tell them to wait for the elections in 2027. Let them sell their agenda to the people of Kenya," he said.