Ruto changes tune, asks leaders to stop succession politics

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday said he is concentrating on development and asked Jubilee leaders to focus their energies on delivering the government’s Big Four Agenda.

Mr Ruto’s allies have been spearheading the 2022 presidential politics with some accusing Opposition leader Raila Odinga of plotting to scuttle his bid.

Speaking at Marimanti in Tharaka-Nithi County yesterday where he led a fundraiser for Tharaka Constituency Education Fund, Mr Ruto said it was unfair to keep the country in a politicking mood after the elections.

REAL CHANGE

He launched the construction of Kamaguna Secondary School, Kenya Medical Training College Chuka campus and Keria-Kathwana Road.

“We should not disturb the public with politics. It is time to focus on matters that make real change in the lives of Kenyans. Our energy is now directed towards delivering electricity, water and good infrastructure to Kenyans. We want to address the concerns of the people. Kenyans did their part by voting; it is our time to work,” Mr Ruto said.

The DP was accompanied by various leaders including Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, Senators Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi), Mithika Linturi (Meru), Fatuma Dhullo (Isiolo), MPs Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Patrick Munene (Chuka/Igambang’ombe), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Mpuru Aburi (Eala) and area Woman Representative Beatrice Nkatha.

PROJECTS

He said the government has allocated Sh600 million towards the Last Mile Project in Tharaka-Nithi, Sh1.5 billion for the tarmacking of Keeria-Kathwana Road, Sh100 million for fencing off Meru National Park to end human-wildlife conflict and Sh100 million for Tharaka Technical Institute and a further Sh150 million for a CT Scan machine.

He said the government was sourcing for Sh26 billion for the construction of Kithinu Dam that will alleviate water shortages in Tharaka.

Mr Ruto noted that the government was keen on enhancing uptake of technical courses by subsidising college fees.

“Every student who joins technical institutes in the country will receive Sh30,000 as a bursary and Sh20,000 as loan from Higher Education Loans Board (Helb). I encourage parents to enrol their children in technical institutions because it is now affordable,” he said.

He said the government would include green grams in the strategic grain reserve to provide farmers from Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui and Makueni with a reliable market.

JUBILEE 'VISITORS'

But politicians who accompanied the DP said although they were focused on development, they would not allow “visitors” to scuttle Jubilee’s 2022 agenda.

“We started experiencing disputes in Jubilee soon after we welcomed some visitors. However, we will not allow anything to change our focus,” Mr Kuria said.

Several leaders from Tharaka-Nithi also rooted for a Ruto-Kindiki pact in the 2022 elections.

“While we support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda, we have introduced Mr Ruto’s 2022 bid as our fifth pillar. As Mt Kenya East leaders, we will give the DP unconditional support. However, we want you to go along with Senator Kindiki in 2022,” Mr Mbiuki said.

Mr Linturi said the Mt Kenya East bloc comprising Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu was united in supporting Mr Ruto and would demand the deputy president’s slot from him.

“As Mt Kenya East, we will not support others during elections and end up begging for a share when the government is formed,” Mr Linturi said.

Mr Njuki hit out at a group of Mt Kenya East leaders who recently met Nasa leader Raila Odinga, accusing them of “burning the bridge after crossing”.

“We are tired of being identified as Central Kenya; we want to be known as Mt Kenya East. We want to assure the DP that this region will back him in 2022,” he said.