Tone down rhetoric for proper service, Ruto tells politicians

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto has asked leaders across the political divide to tone down on politics and start serving Kenyans.

He reiterated in West Pokot County on Saturday that it is time to shun divisive politics and deliver.

COUNTY IMAGE

“We finished doing politics last year. It is now time to embark on development. We don’t want leaders to engage in divisive politics,” Mr Ruto said during a funds drive in aid of Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole Afrika Church.

Regarding the county, Mr Ruto called for unity among elected leaders.

“We must change the image of this county so that we can catch up with the time we wasted. The government will work all elected leaders in the county to help spur development,” he said.

OUTDATED PRACTICES

The DP, who was nicknamed Rimon by the church leaders, urged residents in the North Rift to shun outdated practices such as cattle rustling, female genital mutilation and early marriage for transformation.

While noting that peace must prevail for the region to develop, he said he was optimistic about the end of the cattle rustling menace.

“I urge leaders to continue preaching peace. I am happy about the relative peace that has been there for the last three years, he said.

The deputy president thanked the church for encouraging residents to enroll in schools, thereby reducing the level of illiteracy.

“I thank this church for embracing education and encouraging children to go school. Its only through education that we shall be able to develop this county,” he said.

ELECTRIFICATION

The DP said the government has pumped a lot of money into the county to help open it up and attract investors.

“We have begun by constructing tarmac roads to help enhance easy movement of goods and services,” he said.

Mr Ruto also pointed out that they have set aside over Sh450 million for rural electrification. He said the funds will see more than 15,000 people get connected this financial year.

“West Pokot has been marginalised for a long time. We want to ensure there is electricity and water in all parts of this county,” he said, noting the need for food security and health centres as well.

“We want to change the narrative for this place to have a new face,” he said and urged the people to embrace development by the Jubilee Party administration. “We have embarked on various projects ... residents should embrace change,”

OTHER PROJECTS

Mr Ruto further pointed out that the government is constructing the 80 km Makutano-Kong’elai-Konyao Road, 80 km Kamatira-Cheptongei Road and two bridges in Sigor.

He said the contract for the 60 km Kapsait-Sondany-Tapach–Ortum road will be ready by Monday and that the plan is to construct Chepareria-Sook road in the next one month.

He added that the government will upgrade the Kitale-Lodwar Highway which is under construction and tasked Energy minister Charles Keter with ensuring the supply of power.

Ruto was with Governor John Lonyangapuo, Education Chief Administration Secretary Simon Kachapin and a number of members of parliament (MPs).

Governor Lonyangapuo asked the government to gazette Kacheliba and Sook as sub-counties and deploy more Kenya Police Reservists to areas prone to insecurity. He reported an end to animosity among counties in the area but said cattle rustling has re-emerged in some parts.

“We have tried as elected leaders to unite our communities and we are requesting for more national police reservists along the border to help restore calm,” he said.

The MPs presents included Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), David Pkossing (Pokot South) Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba), Lillian Tomitom (West Pokot Woman Representative) and Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri).

They said they will support his bid for the presidency come the 2022 general election.