Ruto cautions against violence in Kibra election

Deputy President William Ruto drums up support for Jubilee candidate for the Kibra by-election McDonald Mariga at DC's Grounds in the constituency. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has warned Kibra residents against engaging in violence during the by-election on Thursday.

The DP yesterday led more than 30 lawmakers in drumming up support for Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga.

“Kibra will be changed by development and not insults or violence. Let them try to cause violence and we shall deal with them,” said Dr Ruto.

Jubilee promise

Ruto promised Kibra residents that the Jubilee government would improve road network, increase health facilities and sanitation blocks, provide clean water and more street lights.

Speaking during the rally at the DC grounds in Kibra yesterday, Ruto said residents of Kibra, Dagoretti, Kawangware and Lang'ata would benefit from the ongoing water piping from Kabete, which will be completed next month.

The DP took a swipe at Opposition leader Raila Odinga for not initiating meaningful development for the 20 years he served as the Lang'ata MP.

“He was an MP, a minister and a prime minister and he never brought any meaningful development to Kibra people. As Jubilee, we have constructed more roads, health facilities and improved sanitation,” said Ruto.

He said Raila used the "handshake" bridge to join the government, and urged Kibra residents not to remain in the Opposition.

“He promised you that you will go to Canaan but instead of reaching he decided to use handshake as a bridge to join Government. Kibra is tired of being in opposition and should now use Mariga as a bridge to join Government,” said Ruto.

The DP also reiterated that under President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four agenda of constructing affordable housing, Nairobi would have 500,000 housing units, which would require nearly 2.5 million youths as workers. He promised that Kibra residents would form a chunk of the workforce.

Mr Mariga said if elected, he would ensure the collapsed National Youth Service (NYS) jobs programme was revived to benefit Kibra residents.

The football star turned politician rallied the electorate to vote for him on Thursday, adding that plans were underway to refurbish more sporting facilities and tap talents in the vast informal settlement.

Mariga, just like other contenders, pledged to improve education infrastructure, improve security and facilitate youth and women to do business with ease.

Mariga is facing stiff challenge from the Orange Party’s Benard Okoth "Imran", Amani National Congress candidate Eliud Owalo, Ford-Kenya’s Khamisi Butichi and 20 others in the race to succeed the late Ken Okoth.

Although the electoral agency cleared 24 candidates to participate in the election, political pundits argue that the race has been narrowed down to a three-horse race pitting Imran, Mariga and Owalo. The seat fell vacant after the demise of Okoth due to cancer.

Those accompanying the DP included Aden Duale (Garissa Town), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Malulu Injendi (Malava), Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Nixon Korir (Lang'ata), Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Ben Washiali (Mumias East), Vincent Kawaya (Mwala), Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East) and John Kiarie (Dagoretti South).