Ruto praises devolution role, tells off governance critics

Deputy President William Ruto with Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka (left) and Sirisia MP John Waluke when the DP toured Kimilili Constituency and opened new schools. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has told off critics of devolution, saying more time should be devoted to the new system of governance.

Dr Ruto said the new system was barely seven-year-old and that focus should be directed towards addressing its teething problems.

“As a national government, we recognise the place of county assemblies in ensuring that the county governance is promoted and succeeds. Without county assemblies, our general development would be endangered,” said Ruto.

He spoke at the Eldoret Sports Club in Eldoret town where he officially opened a five-day County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) games last evening.

The DP told the county assembly leadership to use the sporting event to build unity and enjoy the Kenyan diversity as they network in building the nation together.

“Kenya is a sporting nation. It brings us together, eliminates borders, regions, community or ethnicity. It builds our patriotism by ending divisions,” he said.

The DP said Kenyans should enjoy their diversity and use sporting events and other competitions, including politics, to bring out the best among them.

“Competition in whatever aspect, including politics, should not divide us or habour hate. This should be used to bring the best out of us because we compete so that the best can emerge,” he said.   

The DP welcomed members of the county assemblies to enjoy the good environment and the diversity of Uasin Gishu County during the sporting period.

He was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, MPs Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Uganda Minister in charge of Kampala City Authority Benna Namugwanya, Uasin Gishu Speaker David Kiplagat, 47 county assembly speakers, MCAs and staff from around the country.  

Earlier in West Pokot, the DP warned perpetrators of retrogressive Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages practices that had denied girls the right to education.

Ruto said the Government will not condone repugnant cultures that hinder education, noting the Jubilee administration had guaranteed Kenyan children free learning.

He directed administrative officials to arrest those who administered FGM as well as elders who endorsed marriages of schoolgirls.

“I have four girls and they are all educated. If I get any man messing up with my daughters, I will deal with them,” he said. 

Ruto told parents to invest in the education of their children and transform their living standards.

Addressing residents at Kodich, where he laid a foundation stone for the construction of Kodich Technical Training Institute, Ruto said the Government had allocated resources to ensure all Kenyan children accessed education. 

Ruto was accompanied by area governor John Lonyangapuo, MPs Wanyama, Moroto, Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba) and West Pokot Woman Representative Lilian Tomitom.

[Fred Kibor, Titus Too and Irissheel Shanzu]