Stop distracting me from my duties, Ruto tells critics

 

Deputy President William Ruto has said he will continue serving all Kenyans without discrimination.

He asked his detractors to give him space to execute his mandate as outlined in the Constitution.

"Those who have a problem with me performing my duties are people who were not elected like me,” he said.

He asked leaders to preach unity and work together towards creating job opportunities and wealth for the millions of poor Kenyans.

“They must desist from engaging in tribal politics that risks dividing the country,” he added.

He spoke at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa Gatura in Gatanga, Murang'a county, and later addressed residents at Gatura, Ndakaini, Ndunyu Chege and Mukarara markets.

The DP spoke amid reports that a team of senior individuals in government are crafting a legal document that could see creation of another office equivalent to his.

The new office, which is said could be occupied by one of the  politicians being groomed by the Uhuru camp, could have been unveiled last week.

However, it was "pushed to a latter date due to legal challenges that came up in naming the office and the roles".

On Thursday last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta, hosted Raila Odinga (ODM), Gideon Moi (Kanu), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Charity Ngilu (Narc) and Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya).

Speaking during an interview with KTN on Thursday night, Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe lifted the lid on the plans to evict  Ruto from the "hustler mansion".

"There will be an eviction party from the hustler mansion in Karen. ..it is loading.. however it happens, they are getting out!" Murathe said.

But on Sunday, the bullish DP said the government will not be distracted by leaders out to derail its development agenda.

   He regretted that the ongoing constitutional review had temporarily derailed the government’s agenda but assured the country "it will soon be over".

 Ruto said the Jubilee administration has laid a firm development foundation that he intends to advance upon the retirement of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

“We do not want to be distracted by diversionary forces. We want to focus on transforming our nation,” he said.

Ruto said the Jubilee administration had a solid development agenda that was meant to better the standard of living of the ordinary people.

 Ruto was accompanied by MPs Irungu Kang'ata (Murang'a), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Moses Kuria (Gatundu North), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), George Murugara (Tharaka), Mohamed Ali (Nyali), Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Isaac Mwaura (nominated).

Nyoro said they will not be dragged into BBI politics as they were focused on the implementation of the country's development agenda.

He said: "The Hustler nation has a bigger agenda for this country, we have no time for BBI."

Wahome echoed Nyoro's sentiments, saying the hustler narrative has changed the national conversation from power and positions for leaders to the empowerment of ordinary Kenyans.

Kang'ata said his decision to write to President Kenyatta the famous BBI letter was informed by the realisation that other urgent priorities needed to be addressed.

He cited the deteriorating state of agriculture in the region, a situation that has left many farmers poor.

"Can we think of things that will help our people?" he posed. Kuria asked the promoters of the BBI not to misuse state powers and undermine the rights of Kenyans. 

Ali questioned the strategy employed by proponents of BBI, saying it was raising suspicion.

"If it is a good thing, why don't they give it to Kenyans to read and approve?" he asked.

Gachagua asked opposition leaders to give President Kenyatta space to implement his development agenda and stop constantly bothering him about endorsement.  Ichung’wa said it was unfortunate that a section of leaders in Mt Kenya is not ready for mature politics devoid of tribalism.

"There are people who are uncomfortable with your (Ruto) presence in the Mt Kenya region because they want to take the country back to the politics that is based on tribalism."

 Baya urged Kenyans to shun leaders who have resorted to tribal mobilisation to ascend to power.

He said: "Hustler brings together the country and not tribalism while the others are bringing tribes together."

BY THE STAR