Ruto: One party will ensure a win

Deputy President William Ruto addresses residents of Gichugu in Kirinyaga County during a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Gatitu Tea Factory. [PHOTO: DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto has said formation of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) would bring to an end the ruling coalition as it was formed in 2013.

Ruto said the inauguration of JAP, which is in the home stretch, was meant to ensure President Uhuru Kenyatta wins next year’s polls and forms form a united government under one party.

“The government we will form in 2017 would not be a coalition where many parties form it. That is why we want to be in one party as we prepare for the polls,” he said.

Speaking in Kirinyaga, the DP said there was no turning back in ensuring JAP would be the party of choice and the re-election vehicle for President Kenyatta. “We want to ensure all these parties that formed the Jubilee coalition agree to form one major entity that would consolidate the support of our government,” said Ruto.

He spoke at Kerugoya Catholic Hall where Kirinyaga Central MP Gitari Gachoki hosted him for a fundraiser to assist the local Pastoral Centre. Earlier on the DP was accompanied by Kirinyaga Governor Joseph Ndathi during the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of Gatitu tea factory. He announced plans by government to equip two major hospitals in Kirinyaga with equipment worth Sh800 million.

Speaking in Nyeri earlier, Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to revive the struggling tea and coffee sectors. He cited the removal of tea levies like the Ad valorem Tax in a bid to boost production and help farmers increase their earnings.

“The government is committed to reforming the coffee industry, provide subsidised fertiliser and promote fish farming in addition to improving infrastructural facilities like roads,” said Ruto.

The DP told Opposition politicians to stop politics of hatred and violence, saying it was outdated and should instead focus in uniting Kenyans. “We urge our rivals to style up and stop dividing Kenyans through tribes, violence and demonstrations. Kenya needs peace,” he said. He said that high political temperatures caused by the Opposition were affecting the country’s business and economic growth.

Ruto thanked Kenyans for their prayers that saw cases facing him, President Kenyatta and journalist Joshua Sang at the ICC terminated. Meanwhile, Ruto took time to console the family of Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, following the death of his mother at Kianderi village in Nyeri County. In his condolences, Ruto described the late Hellen Wanjiru Kanja as a humble and dedicated mother who made a huge contribution to the country.