‘Opposition noise is necessary’ – Ruto
President William Ruto now says his government is ready to work independently with the opposition.
The Head of State while speaking during Christmas celebrations at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu, noted that the opposition noise is necessary to keep the government in check.
He disputed the possibility of merging the government with the opposition saying this cost the country in the last regime leading to huge debts and drought.
"Furaha yangu ni kuwa tuko na upinzani ambayo inafanya kazi ya wananchi kujaribu pia kusema ile maneno haijafanyika. Tuko tayari kabisa kuungana na upinzani.. nyinyi mfanye yenu na sisi tufanye yetu ndio Kenya ieze kuenda mbele. Ile ya zamani ya kuunganisha upinzani pamoja na serikali ndio imetuletea hii hasara kubwa things went bad tukawa nchi ya madeni na njaa. Ni vizuri kukuwa na watu wengine wanapiga makerere," Ruto said.
Loosely translated as"(My happiness is that our country's opposition is doing its work. The government is ready to work with the opposition long as every party plays its part to better our nation. Previously we saw the govt merge with the opposition which did more harm than good bringing drought and debts. It is okay when the opposition is making noise)."
President Ruto marked his first 100 days in office on December 21, having been sworn into office at Moi International Sports Stadium Kasarani on September 13.
Office of the opposition leader
Ruto previously defended a push to create the office of the official opposition leader, saying the position will make the group more effective in keeping the government in check.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Wanjohi Primary School grounds in Nyandarua county, on Sunday, December 11, the Head of State said his government is committed to supporting the oversight role of the opposition for the benefit of all Kenyans.
Reacting to recent calls for protests from the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition, Ruto asked the opposition to perform their oversight role in a 'peaceful and patriotic manner'.
"We are not afraid of being kept in check but it should be done in a patriotic manner. We encourage our friends in the opposition. We have no quarrel with them doing whatever it is that they are doing as an opposition to keep their oversight role. All we are asking them is that we must do this in an environment of peace and being patriots so that we can do what is good for the people of Kenya," Ruto said.
The President noted that empowering the opposition would bring much-needed transformation to the country.
"I am a great believer in an accountable government and that is what we want our oversight institutions to be empowered so that they can help us run an accountable government which will bring transformation," President Ruto added.
