Fight against graft unstoppable, says DP William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday threw his support behind the renewed crackdown on illegally acquired property saying constitutional offices charged with fighting corruption will get undivided support from the Jubilee government.

Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the Kesses Constituency Youth and Women Empowerment Programme at Eldoret Sports Club grounds in Uasin Gishu County, the DP said there was goodwill from the Executive adding that adequate resources would be allocated to all the agencies charged with fighting graft.

“As the Executive arm of the government, ours is to ensure that all departments charged with oversight and the Judiciary are well financed so that they can effectively undertake their mandate,” he said.

Mr Ruto, who earlier in the morning presided over a mega groups fund-raiser at Kamusinde High School in Kimilili, Bungoma County, said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions would be allocated more to enhance the fight against corruption.

FIGHT AGAINST GRAFT

“We want to see to it that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is well financed so that it keeps up its good work in the fight against graft and other criminal activities,” added the Deputy President.

Mr Ruto reiterated that the election period was over and that it was time for all leaders to work for Kenyans. He said that the only way to take Kenya forward is through development and not propaganda.

“Let us stop spreading propaganda and instead start working for Kenyans. I want to ask all leaders to do their job so that they can be judged by what they have done for this country,” said Mr Ruto.

TRANSFORMATION

During the event, 700 students were recruited to join the Eldoret National Polytechnic and the first phase of the Cow program launched courtesy of the area MP Dr Swarup Mishra.

The Deputy President was accompanied by, among others, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Amina Mohamed, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang and Dr Kevit Desai, the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Vocational and Technical Education (TVET) in the ministry of Education.

He noted that technical training institutions will play a big role in the implementation of the Big Four Agenda.

“As a country we want all our programmes to be channelled to Big Four to make it a success. Every county leadership must align their plans and strategies with the Big Four agenda so that we can take our country's transformation to another level,” he said.

Also present were Governor Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and his Trans Nzoia counterpart Patrick Khaemba.

130 NEW COLLEGES

The Deputy President at the same time said that the National Government was closing the gap on vocational training to produce graduates with the right technical skills required in the job market.

“The Jubilee Government has so far constructed 130 new colleges since it came into office and these institutions will admit 120,000 students from September. Each student will be offered Sh30,000 in terms of bursaries and Sh40,000 loan as we ramp up enrollment,” said the DP.

Ms Amina told the 700 beneficiaries to take advantage of the programme to improve their livelihoods. “This programme will make technical training possible to more Kenyan youths.

BECOME PRODUCTIVE

Mine is to urge the beneficiaries to fully take advantage of it so that they can become productive in the society,” said Ms Amina.

Political leaders present at the event pledged their support for the Deputy President ahead of the 2022 General elections.

They included MPs Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), Sabina Chege (Murang’a Women Rep), Daniel Rono (Keiyo South), Joseph Tanui (Kuresoi South), Patrick Munene (Chuka) and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, among others.