Ruto tours projects at the Coast, says State will serve all Kenyans

Jubilee administration will not discriminate against any community in its development plans, says Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking after inspecting development projects in Taveta sub-county in Taita-Taveta County yesterday, the DP said the Jubilee Government would serve all Kenyans equally, irrespective of party affiliation.

Ruto also said the Opposition should support the Government in delivering services, adding Kenyans were yearning for development.

“Politicians should put their political differences aside and serve Kenyans,” said Mr Ruto.

Visited projects

“Whether people voted for us or not, we will not discriminate against any community in development,” he said. The Coast region overwhelmingly voted for the former Prime Minister and CORD leader Raila Odinga in the last General Election.

During the tour, the DP opened the Sh10 million Bishop John Njenga Secondary School Girl’s dormitory constructed by the Taveta CDF.

He also opened the Rekeke Model Health Centre constructed under the Economic Stimulus Project.

He inspected the stalled Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and the Sh100 million Taveta Institute of Science and Technology being constructed by the national government.

The DP was accompanied by governors John Mruttu (Taita-Taveta) and Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa), MPs Naomi Shaban (Taveta), Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate), Njenga Kigo (Gatundu North), Mwalimu Kombe (Magarini), Major (Rtd) John Waluke (Sirisia).

Others present were Nominated Senator Mshenga Mvita, Coast Regional Coordinator Samuel Kilele, Taita-Taveta Deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo, MCAs and county executives.

Major Waluke said although he is in ODM, he was working with Jubilee to facilitate development in his constituency. “My constituency has benefited a lot from Jubilee and that is why I support it.”

Mr Mwadime said time for political squabbles was over and challenged politicians to concentrate on service delivery. “This is time for development and politicians should stop playing politics. Politicians should work together for the sake of development,” said the ODM legislator.

Ruto praised this year’s Budget, saying youths and women were the major beneficiaries.

“The Government has set aside more than Sh25 billion for recruitment and training of youth to join the National Youth Service. It has also set aside Sh200 billion for procurement where 30 per cent of the total amount will go to the youth to improve their socio-economic status,” he said. The DP said the Government was constructing two technical institutions in the county at Sh200 million. He, at the same time, said the government had set aside Sh380 million for the expansion of Taveta Sub-County and a further Sh100 to improve infrastructure at the Voi County Referral Hospital.

Development of infrastructure

Ruto asked CDF committees to focus on the development of infrastructure in public schools.

“It is now the responsibility of CDF to ensure improvement of infrastructure in schools to ensure children get the best learning environment,” said the DP.

Ruto told principals withholding KCSE certificates to release them to students to allow the youth participate in nation building.

“We wonder why some heads are still holding certificates despite a government directive. We are now directing them to release them failure to which they will face stern action,” he warned. “We want students to get the certificates so that they can join colleges to participate in nation building,” Ruto said.