Let Kenyans discuss BBI report, says DP Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto has urged leaders to shun political differences and allow every Kenyan to give views on the much-hyped Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) taskforce report.
He said BBI was not for leaders only but all Kenyans and asked the former to stop brinkmanship and bravado, adding that it will divide Kenyans further.
Ruto, who spoke at Itierio Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya during the consecration of South West Kenya diocese Bishop Joseph Omwoyo Ombasa, told leaders to be patient and listen to everybody. Omwoyo replaced Bishop Thomas Asiago, who has retired.
“You cannot build bridges with violence. The country belongs to all Kenyans and even weak ones have something to say,” said the DP.
Ruto, accompanied by Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, MPs Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) and Alfah Miruka (Bomachoge Chache) and several MCAs, said he will continue executing his mandate as Deputy President and support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s development agenda.
Create inequality
He assured Kenyans the government will ensure all parts of the country are developed.
“I have work to do as Deputy President. Nobody should complain. Let us respect each other and avoid leaders with rhetoric,” said Ruto.
The Deputy President urged chiefs to ensure learners who sat last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam join secondary schools to comply with the government’s policy on 100 per cent transition.
Ruto said the government has funded free secondary education and it was wrong for pupils not to join secondary schools due to lack of fees, stressing it will create inequality.
He also appealed to Form Four leavers to join technical training colleges and acquire skills to contribute to the country’s Big Four agenda, adding the government pays Sh30,000 in bursary and Sh40,000 loan for each student in the vocational and technical training colleges.
The DP lauded the partnership between the church and the government, noting it has helped enhance development.
Maangi said he will not relent in his war against graft in the county government, stressing the vice had affected the county’s development.
The Deputy Governor appealed to locals to support Ruto in 2022, saying he has supported the community’s development projects since 2013 and it was necessary for residents to support him (DP)ascend to the country’s top seat.
Miruka asked leaders to halt premature politics and focus on serving Kenyans.
“We were elected to deliver services. 2022 is far and we do not want our country to be highly politicised at the expense of development,” Miruka said.
