President William Ruto now says he is the best leader Kenyans have ever elected post-independence. President William Ruto speaking at State House Nairobi on Friday, September 12. Speaking at the State House, Nairobi, Thursday, September 11, during a meeting with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) representatives and other tea sector stakeholders, the president noted that Kenya has the potential to make it to the first world. He said his vigour is what Kenya needs for the country’s transformation for the better. Ruto explained that Kenya had lacked a leader who dares to go off the beaten track and make bold decisions that would shake the country up for the best.
Countries like Singapore and Korea were once where Kenya is currently, until leaders with great initiatives came in, he observed. Seeming to defend and vouch for his policies, some of which have been battered by critics, Ruto vowed to take the most unpopular of decisions he believes are viable and which will, in the long run, propel Kenya to greatness, adding that the time is now to make things work. “There are people shocked by me pushing for transformation in Kenya. I have a reason. We are far behind in time while procrastinating with small things. Some people tell me that we have time, so we should do some things in our second term. Do we have the time to wait? They say we should be doing SHA, the university guiding model and affordable housing in the next term. We don’t have time. Let us do what we can do now. We can’t wait for tomorrow,” he said.
Ruto added that his know-how and vigour make him the best leader to have ever led Kenya. Referencing his 15-year experience as a member of parliament and 10 years in the Office of the Deputy President (ODP) deputising former president Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto said he is well-equipped with the knowledge and astuteness to make Kenya a first-world country. According to him, chances are very high that he could be the most learned leader to ever occupy the Kenyan presidency. “I have got an opportunity, and a very unique one. Among those who came after me, some were old; I am not old. I have enough experience; I have been an MP for 15 years. I was a deputy president for ten years, is there any other experience I should be waiting for? I am learned and well-educated. I am probably the most learned Kenyan president ever elected in Kenya. So, who am I waiting for? I have no excuse; that is why I must do all these things. Forgive me. We must transform this country, and I am very committed to it. We are very late. Let’s, for once, focus on changing the country,” Ruto said.
At the same time, the president glorified his partnership with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Ruto noted that for Kenya to make the desired strides, leaders from across the political divide ought to shelve their differences to join forces. He revealed he is closely working with Raila and Uhuru to steer his agenda for the country. “I am very lucky that today, I am the leader of Kenya Kwanza, which is the ruling coalition, and I am a former deputy leader of ODM, which is the opposition. Nobody else has the network to unite the two sides to push the country forward. I have a unique position to unite everyone, because for the country to succeed, we must all come together. That is why I have looked for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta and told them that we sit down and plan on transforming this country,” the president said.
By Kai Eli
