Ruto urges leaders to shun politics and serve

Deputy President William Ruto has asked elected representatives to think less of their political affiliations and work together to develop their counties.

Speaking at the Lake Turkana Festival, Mr Ruto asked the MPs, senators, governors and members of county assemblies to put aside political competition until election time and instead focus on development.
“We can always sit amongst ourselves and agree on how to take Kenya forward,” said Mr Ruto, who was the event’s chief guest.

“I want all the leaders here to put politics aside. The people of Marsabit want services. We want to ensure that they deliver and the national government will step in if asked by the county government to help,” he added.

The county experienced tribal fighting last year which saw the national government threatening to dissolve the county as per the constitution. Calm has now returned.

“We want to put partisan issues aside and all leaders to work together towards transforming our country because that is what we can leave to the generations that will come. That is what they can inherit from us as leaders.”

Former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, who led efforts to restore peace in the county also spoke of the need to safeguard peace and security.

“I’m asking the people here and all Kenyans, let us not gamble with our lives. Let us live in peace because if we don’t, others will laugh at us and will be happy that we are fighting and for that reason, fighting is not helpful,” said Mr Kaparo.

Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi criticised Cord’s push to have commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission fired.

“Someone who cannot manage a party election cannot be given a chance to talk ill of the electoral commission that managed a national election,” said Mr Wamatangi.

But Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok defended calls for national dialogue by the Opposition.

“I represent CORD here. We are still dissatisfied with insecurity that is still a major challenge facing our country,” said Nanok. “So long the country is still insecure we will still go to the streets.”

This was after, Turkana South MP James Lomenen, Turkana North MP Christopher Nakuleu and Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said people should concentrate on development.

Mr Kerrow said marginalised counties have no time to waste on rallies and urged Cord leaders to wait until the regions are at par with other counties for national dialogue to work.