President William Ruto on Wednesday explained why he opted to work with opposition leader Raila Odinga, a day after the former premier revealed that it was the Head of State who reached out to him.
Addressing rallies in Kawangware, Dagoretti North on his third day of an extensive tour of Nairobi, the President said his decision to work with Mr Odinga was informed by the desire to have a united country.
“I talked with Raila and told him that let’s unite Kenya, let’s unite all the communities. I want to assure you that no community, no religion, and no part will be left out. We will all walk along because we are one people with a common destiny,” said President Ruto.
His message was the same in his stopovers in Mutuini, and Riruta, where he asked the residents to support their partnership with the opposition.
The message on peace and unity was echoed by the leaders who accompanied him on his tour, including Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, who said that development would be spread equally across the country if Kenyans are united.
“For the growth of our country, we must have peace. All the communities must live in unity. We must live as one nation without any kind of discrimination. We must unite, and that is why the President has united all leaders without considering their party or their tribes,” Prof Kindiki said.
Mr Odinga on Tuesday said his decision to team up with President Ruto was meant to allow him to offer solutions to some of the challenges facing the country, saying that you can only correct things while inside, not by making noise from outside.
“Many people are making a lot of noise here and there that I went to Ruto; that Raila has joined Ruto and has abandoned us. I did not go to Ruto, it was Ruto who came to me.
These things cannot be corrected when you are out, you must go inside and tell them what to do. And you must place people there to address the problems,’’ said Mr Odinga.
“My position on national issues has not changed. In all my life, I have always stood for the liberation and welfare of the people. You can recall that in 2023 we went out to the streets to fight against the high cost of living. Kenyans said the cost of living was becoming unbearable.”
Dr Ruto maintained that under his administration, no one will be vetted when it comes to the issuance of the national identity cards.
“Every Kenyan must be issued with an identity card. That is why I directed that let us do away with the discrimination which was there before,” President Ruto said.
He was accompanied by Prof Kindiki, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo. Also present were MPs John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoreti North), George Aladwa (Makadara), Timothy Wanyonyi (Westlands), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), T.J Kajwang’ (Ruaraka) and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
During the tour, President Ruto and Governor Sakaja inspected the expansion of Mutuini Hospital which is set for a major facelift.
In his address to the locals, the Head of State promised to complete the construction of the facility in the next four months.
“This facility is crucial for the people of Nairobi, and we will ensure it is completed on time. The contractors will be on-site, and I will be back in August to officially open it,” said President Ruto.
The facility is set to provide specialised services to the locals and consequently ease the strain on major referral hospitals in the capital city.
The planned facelift would include having an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and a High Dependency Unit (HDU). Governor Sakaja reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare services.
“The hospital’s expansion will ease congestion in major referral hospitals in Nairobi by offering specialized services, including a new ICU, HDU, expanded pharmacy, laboratories, and specialized clinics catering to pediatric, gynecological, and renal care,” said Mr Sakaja.
Further, the construction of the Riruta modern market commenced on Wednesday following a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Dr Ruto in a major milestone in providing safe, secure, and efficient spaces for small-scale traders. Apart from Mr Sakaja, Dr Ruto was also accompanied by his deputy, Prof Kithure Kindiki.
Other markets being constructed by the national government include Majimazuri, Riruta, Jogoo Road, and Kangemi markets.
In Mutuini Ward, over 600 traders will benefit from a soon-to-be-completed modern market, which will provide safe and structured business spaces. The facility will also include a daycare center to support mothers balancing business and childcare.
The President also laid the foundation stone for the Dagoretti Jitume Centre of Excellence in Nairobi, marking a significant step toward fostering digital skills and innovation among the youth.
