DP Ruto vows to revive Jubilee’s Big Four programmes
Deputy President William Ruto pitched political tents in Kajiado County on Thursday, promising to revive the Jubilee administration’s Big four agenda, including Universal Health Care, in the first four months of his presidency.
He addressed several mammoth rallies in Embulbul, Gataka and Ong'ata Rongai in the populous Kajiado North constituency, accusing the opposition of derailing the projects he started with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He pledged Sh100 billion for housing, agro-processing, value addition and manufacturing to empower young people and Sh50 billion for small and medium enterprises.
"We have (spent) more than 50 years since independence waiting for money to trickle down from top to Wanjiku. It has failed, prompting us to embrace the bottom-up economic model,” he said.
Dr Ruto took a swipe at ODM leader Raila Odinga for questioning the source of the donations that he gives to the needy, saying it his duty to share the little he has.
The DP said his administration will revive Universal Health Care, a pet project of the Jubilee administration before the opposition "hijacked" the government.
He pledged to ensure all Kenyans have medical cover under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to ease the burden of medical care.
"Those who will not be able to pay will have the government pay for them. That was our plan between myself and President Kenyatta before our boat was rocked from within," he added.
He told young people that their vote will be one against tribalism, unemployment, divisive politics and self-serving intimidation from the political class.
"I want to tell you, especially the young people, this is the opportunity to vote against tribalism to vote in a government that will address your welfare and your employment,” he said.
“There is a relation between your vote that you will cast on August 9 and your future. A relationship between your vote and whether you will get a job or not.”
Goodies from his administration
Riding on Jubilee administration projects such as new roads and connecting more homes to the national grid, the DP also promised Kajiado residents more goodies from his administration.
"We (Jubilee government) promised the Ngong-Isinya-Kajiado-Isara road and delivered. We have been able to connect power to 145,000 homesteads from 30,000 homesteads in 2013,” he said amid applause.
“We have built three more TVET institutions. We are promising more national government projects during my term."
He said Mr Odinga failed to deliver for Kenyans when he served as prime minister in the Grand Coalition government and other positions in government in the past.
"I have been a Deputy President with a development record. My competitor achieved nothing to show Kenyans when he was in leadership,” he said.
“(We in the United Democratic Alliance) we have policies, an agenda, a party and a presidential candidate. They are still dilly-dallying."
The DP’s visit came hot on heels of a tour by Mr Odinga, who addressed a rally in Ong'ata Rongai on Monday.
Mr Odinga addressed his supporters on his way from the funeral of former Kajiado senator Peter Mositet’s father.
Kajiado North constituency is vital for both presidential contenders owing to the high number of votes that over the years have provided a swing vote in elections.
Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko, who will be squaring it out for the UDA ticket in the Kajiado governor’s race with Kajiado South MP Katoo Ole Metito and former NTSA boss Francis Meja, said she is seeking to correct the mess done by the county government.
"We have benefited from dozens of projects from the national government but the county leadership have messed us up. Tribalism is rife and high taxes to our people. Kajiado is a hustler county and I’m confident I’ll be the next governor," said the second-term MP.
Mr Metito rallied Kajiado voters behind UDA, saying the party will form the government after the August General Election.
"Let us support the Deputy President’s presidential bid. He is the only candidate who can address Wanjiku’s challenges. I have a track record as an MP for four terms. Kajiado County will be safe in my hands," he said.
The DP was accompanied by MPs George Sunkuiya (Kajiado West), Muhamed Ali (Nyali), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Nixon Korir (Lang’ata), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), and Silvanus Osoro (Mugirango South), among handful of MCAs from Kajiado and a dozen aspirants eyeing the UDA ticket for various seats. BY DAILY NATION
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