Ruto likens Kiambu to Jerusalem, thanks residents for overwhelming support
President-elect William Ruto has heaped praises on Kiambu County residents after receiving overwhelming support from the region in the August 9 general election.
Speaking during a church service at Gathirù-inì PCEA Church service in Githunguri Constituency on Sunday, Ruto thanked the vote-rich region for the support that saw him elected as the country's fifth president.
The Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader said he got more votes in the Mount Kenya county than in Uasin Gishu, where he hails from.
"If this government was to give shares, the largest percentage would have gone to Kiambu County because it is where we received most votes. If there was Jerusalem in Kenya, then Kiambu would have been one of them. You have made history. I garnered more votes here than what I got in my home county of Uasin Gishu," Ruto said while referring to the Biblical city in Israel.
Ruto stamps authority in Kiambu
Kiambu is the first county Ruto has visited since he was declared President-elect on Monday, August 15.
In the official presidential results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate garnered 606, 429 votes out of the 1.2 million registered voters in Kiambu County.
He managed 272, 868 votes out of 506, 317 registered voters in Uasin Gishu County.
In his speech, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader stated that he had to return to the region to thank the people of Kiambu for standing with him when he needed them most.
“The great people of Mt Kenya have changed the politics of our country and occasioned a paradigm shift, I promise and commit not to let you down,” he added.
“We will maintain these standards to steer the country forward. I want to thank you people of Mount Kenya for making me one of you by supporting me to build a country with no tribalism. I appreciate you for taking me as one of your sons and standing by me. They have buried ethnicity in the politics of Kenya."
Ruto promised to prioritise the completion of projects started by President Uhuru Kenyatta after being sworn into office.
He said his administration will set aside Ksh50 billion to ensure Kenyans get value for their taxes.
Ruto was accompanied by a number of Kenya Kwanza politicians including his deputy Rigathi Gachagua Kiambu Governor-elect Kimani Wamatangi, outgoing Migori County Governor Okoth Obado and Kandara MP Alice Wahome among others.
