Eldoret, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has told off critics of Jubilee government saying their sentiments will not stop it from fulfilling election pledges.
Deputy President William Ruto
In reference to allegations by CORD leaders that Jubilee clinched power with the help of the military, Mr Ruto asked the public not to be distracted by “empty propaganda”.
“It has been their nature to promote propaganda and no amount of distraction will deter us from achieving plans set for the country,” said the Deputy President, who spoke Sunday at St Barnabas Catholic Church, Kimumu in Eldoret, during a special annual offering for the needy.
And speaking to The Standard separately, Leader of Majority Adan Duale challenged CORD leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to come out and tell Kenyans who really rigged him out in the last elections.
Mr Duale said Raila has been shifting accusations of rigging from one institution or individual to another.
Duale said Raila accused Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and its chairman Issack Hassan, then shifted to the National Intelligence Service, Jubilee, Supreme Court and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and now the military.
“Can you tell Kenyans who rigged you out between Jubilee, the Judiciary and CJ, NIS, IEBC and now the military? I think the former Prime Minister may be suffering from memory lapse perhaps due to his anger,” he said.
Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi asked CORD leaders to make “genuine” criticism as they play their role as the official opposition.
Mr Wamatangi accused a section of CORD leaders of engaging in insincere and selfish political agendas, which he said were injurious to development.
“The opposition is all over the place fighting everything from the Government, including development projects. I would want to ask my fellow legislators in CORD to shun conflict-ridden politics if they want this country to grow,” Wamatangi said.
In Eldoret, Ruto cautioned the opposition against peddling lies over the Jubilee government, saying the public is more informed than before and cannot accept false information.
Ruto told the congregation that: “Kenyans are now knowledgeable and they remember vividly what took place during the March 4 General Election.”
He asked the opposition to base its criticism on truth, saying falsehoods would lead to further embarrassment “on the opposition’s side in the public eye”.
He said the Jubilee government was committed in growing the economy and ensuring that youths get jobs.
The Deputy President, who later travelled to The Netherlands for the continuation of his trial, urged Kenyans to continue praying for them.
“Your prayers are important to us because we have faith that the cases against us are fading away slowly,” he told the congregation.
Marakwet East legislator Kangogo Bowen also lashed out at the opposition over claims that the military was involved in aiding the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy. Bowen pointed out that before the poll, CORD the former PM had control of the government machinery unlike Uhuru and Ruto.
“We should not accept the opposition to make unnecessary sentiments that are likely to divide Kenyans. Before Jubilee assumed power following free and fair elections, Raila and Kalonzo were in government and they should not promote lies on the Military issue,” he stated.
By Silah Koskei, The Standard
