DP Ruto was speaking in Narok town on Monday when he launched the tarmacking of 38 kilometres of roads within the town. Photo/ PSCU
NAROK, Kenya, Jun 22 – Deputy President William Ruto says the Opposition has sensed defeat in 2017 and is engaging in endless politicking at the expense of development.
Ruto said elections ended in 2013 and that it was time for leaders to concentrate on development.
He said Opposition leaders have no development agenda for the country but the government is focused on its development agenda and will not be distracted by those engaging in endless politicking.
“We are committed to our transformative agenda that can take this country to the next level. No amount of noise making will deter our development efforts,” said Ruto.
Speaking in Narok town on Monday when he launched the tarmacking of 38 kilometres of roads within the town, the Deputy President said: “I ask Kenyans to ignore the noises being made by the Opposition because they do not have any agenda for this country,” said Ruto.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Governors Samuel Tunai (Narok), Jackson Mandago (Uasin-Gishu) and MPs Ken Amarat (Narok East), Jamleck Kamau (Kigumo), Njogu Barua (Gichugi), Gideon Konchella (Trans Mara), Soipan Tuiyan (Narok) and deputy governor Evelyn Aruasa (Narok).
Ruto said the success of devolution would only be realised if national and county governments consult and cooperate on matters of development.
“Devolution is not about confrontational and competition. It is about consultation and cooperation between the national and county governments,” said Ruto.
He said told youth and women to take advantage of the existing 30 percent procurement to apply for such tenders and engage in meaningful development projects.
“Youths should take advantage of the tenders set aside for them to register groups and apply for such tenders so as to engage in projects which can uplift their living standards,” said Ruto.
The Deputy President said the government has set aside Sh2.1bilion for the construction of two bypasses in Narok town to ease traffic flow in the area.
He said the construction of the bypasses would begin before the end of the year.
Ruto said roads leading to agricultural zones and tourist’s areas in the County will be rehabilitated to ease movement of goods and services.
He disclosed that Sh3 billion has been added for the construction of the Narok-Sekewani road to boost transportation of goods and services in the area.
The Deputy President said Narok and Trans Mara hospitals will benefit from Sh425 million and Sh380 million respectively in the ongoing efforts to upgrade two facilities to the level of referral hospitals in every county.
Ruto at the same time said the government supports affirmative action and will not reverse gains made by women in the development of the country.
The Deputy President said the government would protect women from leaders who wanted changes made to constitutional required that at least a third of legislators must be women.
He was responding to Narok Women Representatives Soipan Tuiyan who had asked the Government not to accept a proposal for the creation of 100 affirmative seats in Parliament while scrapping the positions of elected women representatives and nominated MPs.
“The Jubilee administration supports affirmative action 100 percent. That is why we ensured women who deliver at maternity wards get the services free,” he said.
He said affirmative action provides women the opportunity to participate in leadership and development of the country.
The leaders said residents in Rift Valley were firmly behind the Jubilee administration under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President, Ruto.
“We want to make it clear today that we are firmly under the Jubilee administration and we are ready to implement what our brother Ruto tells us whether in politics or development,” said Aruasa.
Mandago and Tunai said the success of devolution depended on projects being initiated at the county level.
“We want to assure Kenyans that as Governors we will do our best on matters of development to make devolution a success,” said Mandago.
Tunai urged leaders in the County to put aside their political differences and take a common stand on matters of development.
The MPs told the Opposition to focus their energies on development instead of engaging in baseless politics round the clock.
Konchella said the Masai community would support Jubilee under the new Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).
The MPs dismissed claims that there was corruption at the National Youth Service (NYS).
“NYS has transformed the lives of people in many parts of the country including Kibera and those claiming that there is corruption at the department are day dreamers,” said Kamau.
They defended Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru against claims of corruption.
“CS Waiguru is doing good work and those accusing her of corruption are not sincere. We will stand with her,” said Barua.
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