Uhuru braves heavy rains to woo South Rift

President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto address a rally at Nairegie Enkare in Narok County. [Photo: Robert Kiplangat, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto braved heavy rains to address a campaign rally at Kapkatet Stadium, Kericho County.

The downpour that started immediately the two leaders arrived at the stadium failed to dampen the spirits of a huge crowd that had turned up for the final rally by the two leaders in the region.

Although a section of the crowd scampered for shelter, the President and DP were undeterred as they addressed the remaining group that huddled under a few umbrellas and campaign banners.

The rains drowned out the speech by local leaders for almost an hour as Ruto kept assuring the crowd that the downpour would subside.

President Kenyatta continued with his attack at the National Super Alliance (NASA) leadership, accusing its presidential candidate Raila Odinga of plotting violence during and after elections.

“We as Jubilee have managed to keep this country united and peaceful for the last four years. The Opposition has been busy sowing seeds of discord among Kenyans and dividing them along ethnic lines. They want to burn the country,” he said.

The President vowed to ensure peace prevails during and after the August 8 General Election, saying that was his duty.

He said Jubilee had all along played politics of development and unity, while the Opposition was busy doing the opposite.

Unite Kenyans

“Our agenda has been and always will be to unite Kenyans and ensure peaceful coexistence of all communities and at the same time transform this country through development projects,” he said.

Uhuru said what the Jubilee government has achieved in four and half years was much more than what all the five Opposition leaders had achieved in a combined “100 years” they had served in successive governments.

He told residents of the South Rift region to turn up in large numbers on August 8 and vote for Jubilee, saying his transformation agenda is the reason he wants a second term.

“I want to thank the people of Kericho for braving the heavy rains to listen to me. I know you love this government and I am asking you to vote for me on August 8,” the President said.

Ruto, who played the role of master of ceremony, tried to buy time for the rains to subside by inviting local leaders to address the people.

Determined to make the rally a success, Ruto stood alone on the podium and addressed the people under the heavy rains, as President Kenyatta sought shelter in a road show truck.

“Whether it rains or not! will you Kericho people vote for President Uhuru Kenyatta?” he posed as the crowd answered in the affirmative. Ruto declared that South Rift region was an undisputed Jubilee zone.

“We have come to the historical Kapkatet Stadium to declare to the country that Jubilee will form the government in a week’s time. On August 8, members of the Kipsigis community will walk to the polling stations to vote for President Uhuru Kenyatta come rain or sunshine,” said Ruto.

He chided NASA leaders, saying all their schemes to postpone the General Election had failed.

“Their latest scheme is focused on the national police and the army. We want to tell them that the police and the army’s role in the election is not politics but to provide security. We will not allow a situation where they are blocked from providing security to ordinary Kenyans,” said Ruto.

The DP listed the government’s projects, including construction of 600km of roads in Kericho and Bomet counties, the last mile electricity connection project, free maternity and primary school education. In another rally in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County, the President asked residents to support Jubilee Party and dismissed the Opposition as lacking a track record and policies to transform the country.

Town expansion

He directed the relocation of Kitale Medium Prison to pave way for expansion of Kitale town.

The President said the government had de-gazetted the local GK prison facility and 120 acres of land given to the county government to create room for the expansion of the town.

“The prison will be relocated next week and the land will be taken over by the county government for the expansion of Kitale, which is the country’s grain basket and a major business headquarters serving our neighbouring countries,” he said.

President Kenyatta criticised NASA’s agenda, saying they squandered time during their tenure in previous governments.

Addressing a rally at Kenyatta Stadium, he scoffed at the economic agenda the Opposition is promising Kenyans, saying they lacked the ability to implement them.

The President claimed his opponents were copying development records that the Jubilee government had implemented.

“You cannot do more when you squandered the opportunity and were unable to perform when you served in previous governments. Don’t ride on our back,” said Uhuru.

 [Stephen Mkawale, Nikko Tanui and Osinde Obare]