Ruto reads riot act to cabinet, returns to Mt Kenya in busy week

President William Ruto this week put on his bossy face with his cabinet being on the receiving end.

Sending a signal that work comes before friendship, Ruto read the riot act to this cabinet.

The President also went back to Mt Kenya region with a full five-day itinerary.

On Monday, Ruto had a quiet day in office with no major public event.

However, on Tuesday the President talked tough to his cabinet at State House where they were signing a performance contract.

It started with two CSs, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and his Trade and Industry counterpart Moses Kuria locked out of State House, failed to sign their performance contracts after they arrived late.

The two were barred from accessing the venue and the President demanded an explanation letter on why there were late.

Ruto also said they should not use traffic as an excuse.

“If you cannot keep time with your employer, you have basically dismissed yourself. It’s just as simple as that,” Ruto said.

Not missing his words, the President scolded some CSs and Principal Secretaries who he said have scanty information about the dockets they hold.

Ruto said some of the CSs and PSs are clueless about what is happening in their respective departments and ministries.

“I call many PSs and ask them what is going on here and they have no clue and this is your department, that is the job that you have; you are not a messenger, you are not a security person, you are not photographer, you are not a watchman,” he said.

The Head of State said it is the PSs and the CSs who are supposed to advise him, yet he seemed to understand more about what is happening in their dockets than them.

On Wednesday, Ruto told Kenyans that in the next few weeks, sugar prices will have dropped.

He acknowledged the cost of sugar had skyrocketed since he took the oath of office but explained that his administration was streamlining the sugarcane sector, riddled with confusion and mismanagement for years. 

“We have been reluctant to import sugar to avoid working against our farmers, but now, in the next two weeks, you will see a difference as we have ordered imports from outside the COMESA market,” he added.

“I agree that there is concern around sugar. We have had confusion and chaos in the whole sugar subsector. Many companies have closed shop because there is no cane to harvest, ” Ruto said.

The President also announced the second phase of the fertilizer subsidy program, which will see a 50-kg bag of fertilizer now cost Sh2,500, down from Sh3,500.

He said that his government will increase farmers credit kits from Sh2 million to Sh10 million so that farmers can access affordable credit loans to buy farm Inputs.

On Thursday, Ruto awarded the charter at the varsity’s grounds in Konza Technopolies City in Machakos County.

He also appointed Equity CEO James Mwangi as the Chancellor of the first virtual public University in Kenya at Konza Technopolis.

President Ruto once stamped authority against violence in Kenya, insisting that he would not let violence be used as a tool to divide and destroy the country.

“We will not compete in violence in Kenya. That one I said won’t happen. Mambo ya vita na kupiganisha watu Kenya nimesema hapana. Haiwezi endelea hapa  Kenya nikiwa rais. Hiyo tukubaliane,” he said.

On Friday, Ruto announced that Kenya was looking forward to expanding its relationship with Israel as they mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties.

He said that Kenya and Israel will explore more opportunities for partnership in food production and irrigation, blue economy, border control and health.

On Saturday, Ruto embarked on a five-day working tour of the entire Mt Kenya region where he is expected to launch a number of development projects.His trip is of great political symbolism.

Besides the commissioning and launching of projects, the President will also chair a Cabinet meeting at Sagana State Lodge and host a regional leaders conference at the same venue on Tuesday.

For the first time since beginning his term as the country’s fifth head of state, President Ruto will be at Sagana State lodge.

The populous and strategic region was crucial in Ruto’s presidential victory despite Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta having backed ex-prime minister Raila Odinga.

Ruto told Kenyans in Mt Kenya not to worry of a handshake or nusu mkate between him and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

He said that as the President the opposition cannot dupe him into an agreement.

“I told you( Kenyans) that I can’t be cheated. Saa zingine mnakuanga na wasiwasi. Ati wale wanaweza kunichanganya. Mkinipima kweli, mimi ni mtu wa kuchanganuwa kweli?” Ruto posed.

The President also made it clear that talks with the Opposition are not about the sharing of power.

Ruto maintained that the talks will be centered on people issues.

He said the time for competitive politics and positions for leaders ended in the last election.

“The work ahead of us is about the needs of the people,” Ruto stated.

Ruto will on Sunday hold a mega prayer and thanksgiving service at Sagan State lodge.   BY THE STAR