Rallies a recipe for chaos, says Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto Friday led a group of senators and MPs in criticising Cord leaders over the planned Saba Saba rallies saying they were a recipe for chaos.

Ruto, Constitutional Implementation Commission chairman Charles Nyachae, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Joyce Laboso, Bomet Deputy Governor Steven Mutai and the MPs said the Opposition had failed to use legal channels to address the issues they have raised on governance and were resorting to unorthodox means.

Ruto assured Kenyans that the government would protect them and their property and that they should go about their businesses on Monday.

“The government has enhanced security. People should know that their property will be safe and Kenya will move forward,” Ruto stated.

The Deputy President said it was the responsibility of the government to secure the country and the people, adding that Kenya would not plunge into chaos.

He said there was need for Kenyans to unite and develop the country for the sake of posterity.

He was speaking at Kaplong Boys Secondary School in Bomet County during an event to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Nyachae said Cord had failed to follow the Constitution in its efforts to sort out the grievances they want the government to address.

“We gave ourselves a Constitution that protects the rights of the people to protest and air their views but this must be done in a structured manner that respects the law and institutions,” Nyachae.

He advised Cord to respect the Constitution since issues like disbandment of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission were before parliament. Senators Wilson Lessan, Charles Keter and Kimani wa Matangi said Cord rallies were retrogressive.

They called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto to enhance security.

“Workers in tea, coffee and flower estates in Kiambu are starting to leave in droves saying they had been advised to do so by some Cord leaders. This should not be happening if we are to built the country,” Mr Wamathangi said.

He added, “I am appealing to the President and his Deputy to stay focused and ensure that there is adequate security for the people ahead of the planned rallies,”

“They (CORD) can not tell us they are more intelligent now one and half years after leaving power.

The problems the Jubilee Government is trying to sort out were a creation of the CORD leadership,” Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat said.

Langat said former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet minister Moses Wetangula were enemies of devolution who were masquerading as champions of the people’s rights.

Bomet East MP Benard Bett said challenged the organisers of the Saba Saba rallies to come forth with their family members and lead the demonstrations.

“If they are serious about the demonstrations, then they should come out with their wives, sons and daughters to the streets instead of using the children of the poor,” Bett said.

Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo said leaders should join hands and work towards improving the standards of living for the people.

Narok West MP Patrick Ntutu and his Moiben counterpart Tiren said there was need for Kenyans to unite and shun divisive elements out to cause chaos for selfish political gain.