Gachagua outlines rough road ahead
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned his boss, President William Ruto, that the task of economic transformation ahead will be difficult.
This even as he asked Kenyans to be patient with the new administration, saying they had inherited empty coffers from the National Treasury.
“Despite the fact that you are a hard worker, the journey ahead of you is not rosy. Please pray for the new President to enable him to begin the economic transformation,” said Gachagua.
“We have inherited a dilapidated economy,” said the new DP immediately after being sworn in.
According to Gachagua, the new administration is inheriting a public debt of Sh10 trillion, a demoralised public service and a myriad of challenges facing the nation.
He said that it will require patience and prayers to liberate the country economically and put it back where the late President Mwai Kibaki left it 10 years ago. While congratulating his new boss President Ruto, Gachagua said that the obstacles were insurmountable.
“I congratulate you for being sworn in as the fifth President. You fought a hard fight. The obstacles were insurmountable. You have proven that an ordinary child, born by ordinary parents, because of God in heaven, he is the President,” said Gachagua.
He went on: “It was through the hand of God that an ordinary child has been sworn in as President.”
Gachagua thanked Kenyans for rejecting to be intimidated and coerced and that the will of the people has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
“Freedom is here with us. All Kenyans are free to associate with whoever they want. You are finally free. The public servants will no longer have to fear, they will not have to talk on WhatsApp for fear of being persecuted,” he charged.
He added that the use of the criminal justice system to intimidate and coerce political support will now be a thing of the past, adding that all the citizens are now free to criticize the government without fear or favour.
Resolve to assist
While resolving and committing to be available to assist his boss to manage the affairs of the country, he vowed that his loyalty and dedication to the will be unquestionable. He, however, charged that Kenyans should not measure his performance with predecessor, adding that Kenyans do not have a choice other than to work hard.
“I beg the people of Kenya not to measure me with the performance of President William Ruto or you may get disappointed. I may try and go up to 60 per cent or 70 per cent,” he said.
On his part, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni while congratulating the new President Ruto, said that the real challenges for African countries is wealth creation.
He said that sharing power and resources are different, adding that leaders should not only talk about sharing of resources but should be concerned with wealth creation.
“We must create wealth. We must be able to distinguish between politics of identity and politics of interest of issues. We keep on talking of distributing resources. Where will they come from? Where does prosperity come from?” posed Museveni.
He advised Africans that prosperity comes from wealth creation, adding that wealth is not natural resources.
“In order for EAC countries to catch up with USA, we need to look at the issue of regional integration. If you produce, who buys?
East African Community (EAC) Chairman and Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye said that his country, Kenyans and EAC residents are looking forward for economic transformation and development of the region.
“We are happy that the unity between Burundi and Kenya will continue. I thank the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta for steering the country to greater heights,” said Ndayishimiye. His Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan asked Kenyans to put the ghost of the electioneering period and begin to develop the country.
