DP Ruto dismisses Raila's 'oath', calls for progress

Deputy President William Ruto addresses residents of Sirisia, Bungoma County, at Namwela Boys High School during a fundraiser for the school on February 24, 2018. He called for unity. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ruto said the the Jubilee government would only focus on uniting the country and ensuring equitable development.
  • Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka said the Jubilee administration is representative of all Kenyans.

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday dismissed the "swearing-in" of Nasa leader Raila Odinga as the People’s President last month, saying it was a waste of time.

Without mentioning Mr Odinga by name, he termed the event as political theatrics by the opposition meant to distract the government from rolling out development activities.

Speaking at Namwela Boys High School in Sirisia, Bungoma County, during a fundraiser to rebuild the dilapidated learning institution, the DP asked Kenyans to focus on developing the country and shun divisive politics.

“How do you get sworn in as the President and you go back to your wife yet you say you are the President? What kind of theatrics are those?” he posed.

INFRASTRUCTURE
Mr Odinga was controversially sworn in at Uhuru Park on January 30, months after threatening to do so after snubbing the October repeat poll.

Mr Ruto said the the Jubilee government would only focus on uniting the country and ensuring equitable development and not cheap politics.
“Our aim is to unite all Kenyans and get rid of divisive politics. We do not want to talk about what this and that tribe are getting. We want to talk about which road should be built and which areas should be elected to electricity,” he said.

Jubilee politicians who accompanied him also poured cold water on Nasa’s recent activities, saying those still focusing on last year’s elections are idlers.

“It is time to work. Before I became Water Cabinet Secretary and now Devolution, I was minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and I can tell you there will be no other General Election until August 2022,” Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said.

POLITICAL REWARD
After the oath, Mr Odinga said he would push for fresh elections next August.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka said the Jubilee administration is representative of all Kenyans.

“These are good people. They did not leave me out after I failed. They gave me another powerful office. These offices are not just for us to sit in but we should use them to help our people,” the Speaker said.

Namwela Boys High school was earmarked for closure last year after its facilities were found to be inhabitable.

However, an initiative to rebuild the school has seen its structures temporarily renovated.