Speaking at State House on Saturday while hosting hundreds of Nairobi residents during the economic empowerment drive, the President said that the government is busy in transforming the nation, hence, and that he was not ready to engage in politics of division.
“They are trying to intimidate me, to intimidate us with one term movement. I want to tell them that we will not succumb to the blackmail of one term. We will not succumb to threats of one term we are committed to transforming our country,” President Ruto said.
He challenged the opposition term, which is being led by the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, to present a better plan for Kenyans ahead of the 2027 elections, instead of propagating hatred and ethnicity among Kenyans.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“We will unite this country through the broad-based government. The administration that brings Kenyans together is what will take our country forward, and that is the future of our country.”
The President also said that decision of the terms of elected leaders will only be determined by the voters when the elation time come.
Dr Ruto’s move gave a rest to the people who have been running the show, including his deputy, Prof Kithure Kindiki, and his personal assistant, Farouk Kibet.
The economic empowerment event was coordinated by the elected leaders in the county, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly from both United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In his speech, the President announced that the assortment of items spread across the State House field would be distributed to the groups immediately after the event.
“The chairpersons from every group will identify their members and your items will be loaded into vehicles ready for transportation to your areas. I will also sort each one of you. You will receive something through your phones.”
Among the items which the groups will receive include 350 brand new motorbikes, salon machines, washing machines, sewing machines, catering items, sound items for events, maize milling machine, electric drill machines, printers, car wash machines, tents and chairs for events, water tanks, generators, trollies for hawking eggs among others items.
Among the leaders who accompanied the youths includes Makadara MP George Aladwa, Phelix Odiwuor from Lang’ata, John Kiarie from Dagoretti South, Ronald Karuri from Kasarani, Anthony Oluoch from Mathare, Peter Orero from Kibra, Mwenje Mark from Embakasi West, Senator Tabitha Mtinda, Beatrice Elachi from Dagoretti North, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, TJ Kajwang from Ruaraka, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Esther Passaris, and a host of MCAs.
Mr Aladwa said that the opposition party is strongly behind the President’s second bid, adding that those were against the broad-based government will be locked out come 2027.
“I hear some other leaders speaking against this broadbased government. I want to assure you that ODM party is in broadbased government and we are supporting the president. Those who are against it are free to walk out,” Mr Aladwa said.
The MP also assured a section of ODM MCAs from Nairobi County Assembly that they should not be intimidated by anybody.
His sentiments come at the backdrop of confusion within the MCAs as who should be leading the engagement and mobilise locals to State House.
Makongeni MCA, who doubles as Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok snubbed the State House event, together with Majority Whip Moses Nyangaresi Ogeto, who is representing Kilimani Ward.
According to the notice of communication seen by Nation, Mr Imwatok said that all members of Azimio differ with the engagement due to the manner in which the preparations were being undertaken.
Last week, Mr Imwatok accused a section of MCAs who are close to President Ruto for sidelining them from the economic empowerment mobilisation.
Mr Imwatok had asked the County Speaker, Kennedy Ng’ondi to write a letter to the President, requesting a formal meeting with all the MCAs before enrolling such an initiative.
“I’m requesting Speaker again with your authority, you wrote to the President last time. I’m reliably informed that the Members of the County Assembly of Nairobi, 123, would want a candid discussion of broad-based government between the President and you, and possibly Raila Odinga,” Mr Imwatok said.
According to the Majority Leader, some of the leaders who cling closely to the president are not addressing the needs of the people of Nairobi.
“They are not telling the President the truth. They are only waiting to collect their own. These are conmen.”
