Ruto calls for respect for institutions

By Edwin Makiche

Deputy President William Ruto has urged leaders to respect institutions set up under the Constitution.

Speaking yesterday in Sotik at the funeral of Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso’s mother, Rebecca Laboso, Mr Ruto asked leaders to address their problems through relevant institutions instead of inciting people.

In a veiled reference to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s attack on the Judiciary over the ruling on the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy petition, and MPs’ agitation for salary hike, Ruto said it was the responsibility of leader to ensure a successful implementation of the Constitution.

“Leaders should be an agent of solutions. We cannot move on as a country when part of our leadership does not have faith in our institutions such as the IEBC, Judiciary and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC),” he said.

He said since Kenyans voted in the new Constitution, the leaders were bound to ensure all institutions under it worked and are respected. He regretted that continued criticism of such institutions was retrogressive and against the spirit of the new law.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Leader of Majority in Parliament Aden Duale and his deputy Naomi Shaban, Deputy Leader of Majority in Senate Charles Keter, Knut Chairman Wilson Sossion, Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto and a host of senators and MPs, were also present. The Deputy President said the Jubilee Government was committed to ensuring the success of devolution. Ruto said he has held a meeting with the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the Treasury to harmonise allocations made to the counties.

He was reacting to a complaint raised by Mr Rutto that the Treasury was out to undermine devolution.

The Governor claimed the Treasury had slashed revenue allocation for Bomet County from Sh4.6 billion to Sh2.8 billion. Mr Duale accused CORD leaders of double speak, saying they contradicted themselves when they criticised the Supreme Court ruling.