Ruto: Cord should tolerate divergent views

Deputy President William Ruto made a scathing attack on the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord), accusing it of taking Kenya to the dark days of political intolerance.

Speaking when he presided over this year’s Kimalel Goat Auction in Baringo County, on Saturday, Mr Ruto condemned the chaos witnessed in Parliament when the Security (Amendment) Bill, 2014, was passed on Thursday.

“Some politicians have mastered the art of intolerance, confusion and chaos. They should give us a break. They are used to causing chaos in their own parties and they are now taking it to Parliament.

Such chaotic scenes have no place in a democratic 21st century. This is a new Kenya and they should wake up and smell the coffee,” Mr Ruto said.

He added: “Hawa watu wako na tabia mbaya sana (these people have very bad manners). Parliament is a place of ideas. We should prosecute ideas in a civilised manner.”

SEALING LOOPHOLES

The Deputy President was accompanied by Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki and several MPs and senators.

“We want to seal loopholes, which criminal elements are taking advantage of to terrorise our people. We cannot accept criminal gangs to deny our people the right to life.

That’s why we are tightening our laws and nobody will derail our quest,” said Mr Ruto, who was also accompanied by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie.

He warned bandits and other organised criminal gangs wreaking havoc in the country that their days were numbered with the passage of the Security Bill on Thursday.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Kericho counterpart Charles Keter lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to sign the security Bill into law.

Mr Murkoment blamed Cord MPs for the chaos witnessed in Parliament and challenged legislators to be a good example to Kenyans.

“‘Men In Black’ mentality should not be taken to Parliament. Mtu kama Seneta [Johnstone] Muthama anaenda kuraruliwa suruali bungeni while Homa Bay Women Rep Gladys Wanga pours water on Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso; what example are we showing to our people who elected us?” asked Mr Murkomen.

MATEMU TOLD OFF
Mr Duale and Mr Kindiki caused laughter when they urged Kenyans to pray for senators James Orengo, Mr Muthama, Boni Khalwale and Moses Wetang’ula who were caught in the fracas in Parliament.

“We want to assure Kenyans including the media that all the unpopular sections in the Bill were removed. The views of everybody who presented their views to Parliament were taken into consideration,” Mr Duale said.

He faulted the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Mumo Matemu’s threat that some MPs would be probed with the risk of losing their seats should they be found culpable for the chaos in the House.

“MPs enjoy a lot of privileges when they are within Parliament. Besides, Parliament has a committee that deals with disciplinary issues and Mr Matemu should focus more on dealing with those who are involved in corruption,” said Mr Duale.