Opposition nervous over NYS project, says Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Ndia MP Stephen Ngare during a fundraising ceremony in aid of Ndia Constituency Education Fund (NEF) in Kirinyaga County.

Deputy President William Ruto has said the Opposition is unhappy with the Jubilee government for positively engaging the youth in development matters.

Ruto said the Opposition has in the past been using unemployed youths during political campaigns to cause chaos. Speaking Sunday at Kianyaga Anglican Church in Kirinyaga County at a funds drive, the DP said having realised they would lose in the 2017 General Election, the Opposition had become a worried lot.

He also said the ongoing onslaught against Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru by the Opposition was initiated upon realising she was out to integrate the youths through the various National Youth Service (NYS) programmes.

“I am sure Opposition leader Raila Odinga has nothing tangible to accuse Waiguru of other than panicking due to her efforts in creating opportunities for the youths across the country,” he said.

Raila, who is the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader, has been at the forefront of championing for the removal of Waiguru from her position because of alleged fraud in her docket.

The DP said youth programmes will be rolled out in all parts of the country, noting that jobless youths would be recruited to provide services that Kenyans have always longed for.

“On realising Waiguru has programmes for these youths that they have always used for their ‘dirty’ brand of politics and with the general elections approaching fast, these guys have become jittery and started to vent their anger on the CS,” he said.

The DP told CORD to understand that NYS is not a Waiguru affair but that it belongs to the entire country, adding that they should stop attacking her unfairly.

Ruto had a basket of goodies for the county. He announcement that 189 schools in the county have been connected with electricity while the remaining 13 will be supplied with power by next month. He also said Kerugoya hospital has been upgraded to level five status while Kianyaga has been elevated to a level four institution and that the two will receive medical equipment worth Sh425 million and 380 million respectively.

Ruto was accompanied by MPs Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni), Njogu Barua (host), Stephen Ngari (Ndia), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias), Karani Wachira (Laikipia West) and Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central). The MPs blasted CORD for threatening to boycott the 2017 polls. They also told Raila to resign from active politics and seek to be appointed as a CS to be able to bash Waiguru on a level ground.