DP Ruto campaigns for Mariga in Kibra

Deputy President William Ruto with Jubilee candidate for Kibra by-election McDonald Mariga in Kibera yesterday during a campaign. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto continued his campaigns for the Jubilee candidate in the Kibra by-election yesterday, urging voters to shun violence.

Addressing the voters, Dr Ruto told them to listen to politicians who are selling policies and keep away from those urging violence.

“Those urging violence should stop and instead sell policies. Kibra will be changed by development and not insults or violence,” said Ruto.

The by-election will be held on November 7.

“Kibra is a small place. It is home to people from Nyanza, Central, Western, Rift-Valley, Coast and Ukambani. We want leaders who will bring positive change in Kibra,” said Ruto.

Former footballer McDonald Mariga is the Jubilee candidate in Kibra.

Ruto added that he will work with Mr Mariga to establish a Technical and Vocational Training College (TVET) in Kibra.

He stressed that once the college is set up, students will not pay any fees. The Government will fully fund the courses taken.

The deputy president added that the Government will establish more health facilities, improve road infrastructure and create more job.

He also said the current administration will help Kibra residents own homes.

“The Jubilee government will ensure that of the 500,000 new houses to be constructed, the people of Kibra will get a chance to own some of them,” said Ruto.

 Ruto insisted that Kibra is a cosmopolitan constituency and it should not be considered anybody’s political turf.

Political bedroom

The deputy president was accompanied by MPs Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Nixon Korir (Langata) and Charles Kanyi alias Njagua (Starehe).

The Kibra seat fell vacant after the death of Ken Okoth, who succumbed to cancer.

Mr Ichung’wa, while drumming up support for Mariga, said that as the chairman of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations committee, he will work with Mariga to ensure development is realised in Kibra.

In a veiled attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga, Mr Kanyi said that no one should regard Kibra as his “political bedroom”. He said Kibra residents should be left to chose their own leader.