Speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Siaya County on Sunday during the launch of Anglican Church synod, the Deputy President said leaders were elected in the belief that they would serve them/FILE
Ruto said politics should not be used to create enmity among Kenyans but be viewed as uniting factor of all the Kenyan ethnic communities.
Speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo Siaya County on Sunday during the launch of Anglican Church synod, the Deputy President said leaders were elected in the belief that they would serve them.
“Even as we do politics, we should respect one another. We should discourage politics of enmity if we are to attain a united country free from tribalism and negative ethnicity,” said Ruto.
Ruto caused a prolonged laughter when he said he had no problem with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga since he has not entered into political contest with him.
“You all know that I supported him in 2007 to an extent that I almost landed in jail. In 2013, he competed with President Uhuru Kenyatta and they will do the same in 2017,” he said.
He added: “I only competed with his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka and beat terribly. And if Raila nominates Kalonzo again in 2017 as his running mate I will beat him again.”
Bondo Anglican Diocese Bishop Johannes Otieno urged leaders to respect the Government of the day if they were to be respected.
“Leaders should respect the Government in authority if they also have to be respected,” said Bishop Otieno.
The Deputy President said time for politicking was over and called on Kenyans to unite and work with the Government in taking the country to the next level.
“With elections behind us, it is now time to shelve our political parties’ affiliations and work together towards realizing the agenda we have for the country,” he said.
He was accompanied by MPs Ken Obura (Kisumu Central), Mary Emase (Teso South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), David Were (Matungu), Mathias Robi (Kuria West)
The Deputy President cautioned politicians against wasting time in empty rhetoric and instead urged them to work together in delivering results to Kenyans.
“Kenyans voted for us (leaders) so that we transform their lives and improve the country’s economy,” said the Deputy President.
Ruto told the people of Nyanza that the Jubilee administration will not discriminate against any community on the basis of how they voted during the last General Election.
“We are ready to work with leaders in all parts of the country irrespective of party affiliations,” he said.
“Jubilee administration is a Government of all Kenyans and we will work with all for the benefit of this nation,” said Ruto.
He went on: “Let me give you our assurance. Nobody should mislead that we are discriminating against any part of this country on the basis of political affiliations. It is our duty to serve all Kenyans.”
He said Kenyans should embrace mature politics where leaders were free to tour any part of the country without any fear.
The Deputy President said the Government was committed to ensuring the success of devolution as stipulated in the constitution.
“The principal of devolution is so that we development agenda on locally prioritized projects is achieved,” said Ruto.
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