Ruto says Jubilee team will unite Kenyans

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto used his inaugural speech to reiterate the Jubilee coalition pledge to unite Kenyans.

He assured the country and the world that the Jubilee government would begin work immediately to build bridges between those who voted for them and those who voted for rival coalitions.

Dispelling fears of a big divide the Deputy President said history has shown Kenyans have a way of addressing issues perceived as divisive.

“There are people who are worried about the divisions between the six million plus of those who voted for Jubilee and the five million plus who voted for other candidates. But Kenyans have a way of doing their things,” Ruto said.

The country’s number two in command enumerated the events of 2002, 2007 and this year when communities defied long held stereotypes to vote for other communities, saying this was a manifestation that the country is ready to move forward.

“In 2002, many people did not believe it was possible for people from Nyanza to vote for Kibaki, they voted almost to a man for him. In 2007, many people did not believe Rift Valley would vote for Raila Odinga, they did it almost to a man. In 2013, many people did not believe that Kalenjins would vote for Uhuru, they indeed voted almost to a man,” he said.

Speaking at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, shortly after taking oath of office, Ruto said the Jubilee government faces the task of uniting Kenyans.

Opposed

“I am confident that we will pull together and work on the pertinent issues regardless of race, religion regardless of how they voted,” he said.

Ruto becomes the first Deputy President since his predecessors were Vice Presidents, appointed and served at the mercy of the President.

“We know that we have the confidence of the people of Kenya, we want to undertake that the critical primary responsibility is to grow this economy by double digits. There is no reason our economy in five years should not be growing in double digits,” he added.

He paid tribute to Kenyans for giving him and President Uhuru Kenyatta the mandate to rule the country in spite of ‘blackmail’ of the international community who warned that ‘choices have consequences’.

“Many of you did not believe we would win this election because it was said choices have consequences. Look at what happened, the people did not just vote and make us win, they did it in round one.”

Some countries had opposed their bids owing to the crimes against humanity charges they face at the International Criminal Court over their alleged involvement in post-election violence.

He paid tribute to former President Kibaki, whom he said had given the country a strong foundation the incoming government will strive to maintain.

“To Kibaki, you have been a pillar to the nation and put a strong foundation for us who come after you to build upon,” he said.

Ruto said the Jubilee Government would intensify marketing Kenya as a tourist destination and increase the annual tourists’ arrivals from 1.5 million to 5 million annually, to expand the economy and create jobs.

“The tourist product we have in Kenya is the best anywhere in the world. It’s only in Kenya that we have the cradle of mankind, where the earlier remains of man have been discovered. If we combine that with the big five sensation and the wildebeest sensation, beaches, mountains, the great Rift Valley, we will have a tourist destination that cannot be compared with any other.”

Ruto said their victory is a culmination of a journey they began three years ago to unite the Kikuyu and Kalenjin who have always clashed during elections.