DP William Ruto lauds Kenyans for electing more women leaders

Deputy President William Ruto Photo:Courtesy

Deputy President William Ruto has praised Kenyans for electing more women to leadership positions during the just concluded General Election compared to the previous elections.

 Speaking at the Kirinyaga University grounds during the swearing in ceremony of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and deputy governor Peter Njagi on Tuesday, Mr Ruto said the election of more women leaders to various seats is an indication that the country’s democracy was maturing.

 The Deputy President said the election of three female governors and 23 women up from 16 in the last Parliament is an indication that Kenyans now have faith in the leadership of women.

 The Deputy President said it is impressive that Kenyans elected leaders based on their development agenda leading to election of the three female governors; Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Joyce Laboso (Bomet) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui), urging them to demonstrate to the voters through performance. 

“I want to congratulate our female elected governors and MPs during the last election in a special way since this is historic since the implementation of our new Constitution,” he said.

 “We are therefore here to celebrate the women of our country who have done us proud,” added the Deputy President.

 MPs elect Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Kanini Kega (Kieni), Beatrice Nkatha (Women Rep, Tharaka Nithi), Amos Kimunya (Kipipiri), John Kiarie (Dagorethi South), Rachel Nyamai (Kitui South), Sophia Abdi (Ijara), Beth Mugo (nominated), Manson Leshomoo (Women Rep, Samburu) and former governor Joseph Ndathi were present.

 Others elected leaders were Irungu Kangata (Muranga), Charles Kibiru (Kirinyaga), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Munene Wambugu (Kirinyaga Central), Samson Nyoro (Kiharu), GK Kariuki (Ndia) and former MPs Florence Kajuju (Meru) and Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes) and Maendeleo Ya Wanawake (MYWO) chairperson Rehab Muyu.

 The Deputy President told leaders to leave behind issues pertaining to elections and get down to work so as to implement what they had promised the electorate.

 He told them to be at the forefront in implementing the Jubilee’s agenda and avoid activities that could hinder service delivery, saying wananchi wanted nothing but to be served.

 “Now that elections are behind us, we should now commit ourselves in implementing our agenda with the aim of improving the people’s living standards,” said Mr Ruto.

 Ms Waiguru said she would form a government that is people driven and development focused with the aim of solving the problems facing the people.

 “I am inheriting a county with dilapidated health sector, poor roads, lack of jobs for the youths, farmers exploited by middlemen, controlled by cartels who want bribes to offer essential services,” she said.

 “But the change begins now. As leaders, we should forge a common front in addressing the challenges facing the people to improve their lives,” added Ms Waiguru.

 The legislators took issue with NASA leaders for their failure to concede defeat even after losing many seats in Parliament and Senate, saying the move to file a case in the Supreme Court was an exit strategy.

 The MPs said they respected the rule of law and will abide by the courts ruling on the case that has been filed by the Opposition irrespective of its outcome but expressed optimism that Jubilee will win the case as it recently won in free, fair and credible elections.

 “I want to speak as a lawyer that the case that NASA leaders have filed in the Supreme Court is fake. I have gone through the court documents and want to tell you that its fake as the documents presented are those made in River Road that will take the shortest time for the court to dismiss it,” said Senator Irungu.

 Mr Wambugu said it was wrong for the Opposition leaders to undermine the integrity of the Supreme Court while at the same time intimidating it with the intention of ruling the case in their favour.

 Mr Kuria claimed that NASA leader Raila Odinga was the stumbling block to the unity of all the Kenya’s different ethnic communities.

 Mr Nyoro said NASA leaders were doing everything they could to join the government through the backdoor.

 Mr Kega thanked Kenyans for turning up in large numbers during the just concluded General Election, saying the move enabled Jubilee win many Parliamentary, Senate, governors’ seats as well as more than 8million presidential votes.

 Mrs Mugo said the election of three female governors out of the 47 county chiefs was a clear indication that women were making a steady progress in leadership.

 Ms Wahome said the election of more female MPs in the 12^th Parliament was a clear demonstration that women were ready to compete effectively with their male counterparts on matters of leadership if they were given conducive environment.

 “It is now clear that more women are being elected and are not relying on nominations alone to be in Parliament,” said Ms Wahome.

 Mr Njagi assured the people of Kirinyaga that he will be guided and guarded by the principles in the Bible in discharging his duties, saying he will be faithful to Governor Waiguru at all times.