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Ruto fires back at opposition over promises to Western region
President William Ruto during the launch of Shirikiana Sacco at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega County.
President William Ruto has fired back at the United Opposition leaders who accused him of not fulfilling the promises he made to Western in the last elections.
President Ruto described them as naysayers who do not want to acknowledge the transformation being witnessed in the region.
On Saturday, the President was in Western region, a day after the United Opposition commenced their three-day charm offensive in the vote-rich region.
During his visit to Kakamega on Saturday, he sought to shut down claims that he had failed to fulfill his promises by listing completed and ongoing projects in the Western Region.
While describing the opposition leaders as people walking around with loudspeakers making noises and causing disturbance in markets, churches and funerals, the president dared the leaders to visit the projects he has undertaken in the region.
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“These are people without any plans apart from propaganda, which they use to disturb people telling them my government has done nothing and that I am a liar. First they said whatever I had promised was impossible, but I am daring them to come and witness what we have achieved in Western Kenya,” said president Ruto.
The head of state said that his government has successfully revived Mumias and Sony Sugar Factories.
His government, he said, has ensured sugarcane farmers are now getting paid every seven days upon delivery of cane while the factory employees are getting salaries every 27th day of the month.
Dr Ruto further said that the government is working towards constructing a level six health facility in Kakamega to be completed by November this year and equipped.
“We are also putting up another level six facility in Bungoma County worth Sh8 billion so that we can offer better healthcare services to the locals,” he said.
The head of state further said that he is putting up a Stadium in Kakamega County to be completed soon, while another in Bungoma is already complete.
More stadiums, he said, are being constructed in Busia and Vihiga Counties. The government, he said, has also revived construction of stalled roads and successfully employed 100,000 teachers.
“While the defunct National Health Insurance Fund registered 8 million people, the Social Health Authority increased the number to 31 million," said President Ruto.
Dr Ruto further said that the government has injected Sh100 billion towards affordable housing, construction of markets and university hotels in the five Western Counties.
Some of the opposition leaders criticizing his government, he said, have been in government for decades without any visible track record apart from their pride and propaganda.
“We are not yet done; we will keep moving. Whatever is happening in Western Kenya has never been witnessed in the previous government,” he said.
He added: “We will keep showing these people the realities on the ground because they know nothing. All they think about is nicknaming me Kasongo; they are low-class people."
President Ruto was speaking at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega County, during the launch of Shirikiana Sacco aimed to benefit residents of the five Western Counties.
He said, the Sacco is a landmark moment in the journey towards economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and shared prosperity.
The savings institution, he said, was the birth of a genuine people-owned economic movement and not merely another financial institution.
“Shirikiana Circle is a platform through which ordinary citizens can organise their savings, access affordable credit, build enterprises, create opportunities, and build lasting wealth for themselves and for their families,” said President Ruto.
But as he defended himself, about 45 Kilometers away from him in Shianga market in Mumias East, leaders from the opposition continued with their onslaught of the President.
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In their second day in Western, Democracy for Citizens Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Patriotic Front's Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party of Kenya Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Democratic Party Leader Justin Muturi, DCP deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya and other leaders maintained that the promises made by Ruto jave never been fulfilled.
"I was present when Ruto signed a pact with Speaker Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi and he made many commitments to the Mulembe Nation. This agreement is the greatest deceiption and conmanship of the Western Kenya region," said Mr Gachagua.
He alleged that Dr Ruto has already hatched a plot to hoodwink the community once again in 2027.
Mr Gachagua claimed that in the agreement, a Party Leaders forum was to be established with all members being equal partners; this has not been done.
"Party Leaders forum has never met four years down the line, and the likes of Mudavadi have never demanded one.
Only two promises of appointing Mudavadi as Prime Cabinet Secretary and Wetangula as the Speaker of the National Assembly
Luhya community have to decide whether they will be part of another deceiption," said Mr Gachagua.
He claimed that 1000 kilometeres of new bitumen roads have not been constructed as promised, as well as modernization of Nzoia and Mumias Sugar Factories which to him, have been bought by Dr Ruto through proxies.
He defended Mr Musyoka against claims that he had done little in his backyard after he spent decades in government.
"We had Ruto saying Kalonzo didn't develop the region, why cant you construct the road to Mululu where Mudavadi comes from which he failed to do all the time he has been in government.
The DCP leader condemned President Ruto for allegedly deploying police to bar them from entering Kakamega Town.
There was a contigent of police in Kakamega Town to prevent any clash of supporters.
There were earlier plans by the united opposition to hold rallies in Kakamega Town, but they shelved it to avoid clashing with President Ruto and his team.
"We were to go to Kakamega but he has placed GSU to bar us from heading to town.I want to tell Ruto that you cannot cure diarrhoea by stitching the anus. Stopping us from talking to the people of Mulembe will not stop them from seeing through your lies," said Mr Gachagua.
Mr Musyoka also moved to defend his track record as an elected leader for 40 years.
"Yes I have been a leaders for 40 years. Yes 40 without stealing public funds, yes 40 years being the best leader for the people. I will always be there where people are," said Mr Musyoka.
Mr Musyoka claimed when Dr Ruto heard they were visiting, the first place he chose to go was to Kakamega State Lodge because he is cornered and is held by the throat by Kenyans.
Mr Musyoka pointed out that most important thing is unity of Kenyans which will ensure Ruto goes home.
"Ruto claims that this team cannot take him home, but the people have decided that he will go home, not even us leaders. We are aware of plans to steal our votes, but we will stand strong against this," said Mr Musyoka.
He added: "The 13th parliament is state captured but we are urging MPs to always be on the right side of history especially now that the Finance Bill is coming before them.
Mr Wamalwa claimed President Ruto had to mobilize people to attend his meeting in Kakamega out of fear of losing popularity.
"They have mobilized and paid people to attend the Masinde Muliro meeting where they will be subjected to false promises.
We have however revealed what they have been upto and informed our people on the what is best for them," said Mr Wamalwa.
He stated that the projects Ruto promised are all stuck including the Kakamega Level 6 hospital, Bukhungu Stadium, as well as various roads in the county.
Mr Malala said the unity displayed by all the opposition principals must be shown even on the ground and across all the political parties.
"We will field one candidate each for every position at the local level. We are united to ensure that Ruto is a one term president," said Mr Malala.
Mr Muturi said the next election will be a momentous one because there is a possibility that Kenya will have the first president being sent home after only one term.
"If William Ruto intended to keep the promises he made to Western region, what we would be seeing here is a thriving sugar industry, which is not the case," said Mr Muturi.
The team proceeded to Bungoma and will be winding up the tour in Trans Nzoia on Sunday.
