DP Ruto urges leaders to prioritize needs of ordinary Kenyans

DP Ruto urges leaders to prioritize needs of ordinary Kenyans

Deputy President William Ruto has urged leaders to prioritize the needs of ordinary people amid constitutional amendment talks.

He said it would be unfair to focus on the needs of a few leaders over those of millions of Kenyans living in poverty.

“Mambo ya mamlaka na viongozi na Prime Minister na Deputy Prime Minister tutaongea baadaye. Kwanza tuanze na kazi ya huyu kijana ambaye hana kazi….Mbona watu wako na madharau Kenya hii? Mbona watu wako selfish Kenya hii? Ati wanataka tuendelee na mjadala ya vile watu watapata mamlaka na vyeo vikubwa….na nikisema tutafute kazi ya vijana ambaye hawana kazi wanasema tunachochea Wakenya,” he said.

DP Ruto said talks about the creation of leadership positions should play second fiddle to the needs of the people.

The Deputy President said it was time Kenyans moved away from tribal politics and instead focus on empowerment initiatives that would transform their lives.

He asked leaders to direct their energy on addressing the various challenges affecting ordinary citizens

“This time round, they should not tell us about tribes; they should tell us about the needs of ordinary Kenyans,” argued Dr Ruto.

The Deputy President spoke on Saturday in Igembe South and Tigania West Constituencies in Meru County where he inspected various development projects and led several empowerment programmes.

Those present were MPs Mithika Linturi (Meru), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Gichunge Kabeabea (Tigania East), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), Raheem Dawood (North Imenti), Beatrice Nkatha (Tharaka Nithi), Rehema Jaldesa (Woman Rep, Isiolo) and Cecily Mbarire (nominated).

Others were Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Lydiah Haika (Taita Taveta), Mary Seneta (nominated), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), George Theuri (Embakasi West) and Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira).

At the same time, the Deputy President said the Government is working on addressing the challenges facing miraa farmers.

“This is a cash crop like any other that can transform our economy; we must rally behind the farmers and address the problems they undergo so as to up their revenues,” he said.

He said the government has set aside Ksh. 1billion for the construction of roads in Maua, which will help accelerate the movement of goods and services in the region.

Mr Ichungwa said today’s politics is about the empowerment of ordinary Kenyans, devoid of tribalism and ethnicity. He dismissed those demonizing the hustler movement, saying they were pro-status quo.

“Our narrative is not poor versus the rich. It is about the empowerment of the poor; a movement of those who are enterprising against those who are entitled,” the Kikuyu MP explained.

On his part, Mr Linturi called on leaders not to derail the development agenda of the country due to competitive politics.

According to him, the country’s political path has changed to issues and development track record rather than ethnicity and hatred.

“Let us compete on ideas that would better the lives of Kenyans rather than engaging in stale politics that is heavy on dividing the country,” he argued.

He and his counterparts pledged their support for Dr Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid saying no one will deny Kenyans their democratic right of voting for a leader of their choice.

“Anyone with an identification card is able to make their own decision,” Mr Rigathi said as he faulted leaders claiming to have made a decision on behalf of the people of Mt Kenya.

His sentiments were echoed by Ms Mbarire who said it is time to change the conversation in Kenya with a renewed focus on the empowerment of the ordinary people.

“A reconfiguration of our leadership approach from top-bottom to bottom-up will stimulate our economy and empower everyone,” said Ms Mbarire.

Ms Jumwa said they will not retreat from pushing for a change in Kenya’s leadership. “Let them keep talking about BBI and political positions. Most Kenyans are not interested with that. We are after the fight against poverty,” she added.

Dr Mutunga and Mr Kabeabea said Mt Kenya would back Dr Ruto in 2022, threats and intimidations against him notwithstanding.

“He is our choice. He is the man who would make us have a better life,” said Dr Mutunga.

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