We are banking on you, Uhuru and Ruto tell MPs

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto Wednesday told MPs from Jubilee coalition they will bank on their support to fulfill the ambitious promises made during campaigns.

The two leaders, whose win is subject of a Supreme Court challenge, told the MPs-elect at the Great Rift Valley Lodge, that the coalition won the March 4 General Election.

“The Jubilee government won majority Members of the National Assembly, majority Senators, majority county women representatives, and the majority county representatives, it is only logical that we won the presidency,” said Mr Ruto.

“Be that as it may, we are law-abiding citizens, we have submitted ourselves to the court and are sure that truth, fairness and justice is going to prevail."

Mr Ruto said the incoming government has the historic mandate of implementing the Constitution and transforming the country, especially, through devolution, as soon as their victory is confirmed by the courts.

“We’re committed to changing the country for good so that the electorate can have faith for voting in leaders who have the country at heart,” said Mr Ruto.

Mr Kenyatta said he was ready to work with the MPs-elect as soon as the Supreme Court does its job.

“I look forward to working with you as a disciplined executive working with a disciplined parliament,” said Mr Kenyatta.

“When you see us going wrong, call us, let’s talk. When we see you going wrong, we’ll tell you, listen to us. I look forward to listen to you once some six people decide. What(ever) they’ll decide we’re ready. We hope that you are ready," said Mr Kenyatta.

Stick together

Mr Kenyatta asked the MPs who served in the last Parliament and were re-elected to raise their hands. He then told the new MPs that they should stick together and implement what they promised, if they expect to be re-elected in the next polls.

“The bulk of us went home in the last elections because they forgot to deliver the promises to the people. When we campaigned, we campaigned as a team. We won. After three months, you start hearing a new vocabulary of “this is how I did it” or “I am here because of what I did”…we are a team, we must remain united,” said Mr Kenyatta.

“If we were to be true students of history, the “we” that you went to the people with, remains the “we” that we shall focus the next five years together. Nobody is going to do that alone, together we’ll do it. Let’s cure that illness,” said Mr Kenyatta.

The President-elect said the MPs should not be pre-occupied with making headlines in newspapers and in the media.

“Do not focus on the antics. Surely Kenyans are not going to live from the headlines. What they will benefit from is our words. We will benefit from you in Parliament. Let’s talk. If we are available, nduru ya nini. Let the nature of politics be delivery on pledges and promises,” the President-elect told the 221 MPs.