Don't critise government, Ruto tells his MPs

President William Ruto arrives at Safari Park Hotel for the launch of the administration of justice in Kenya annual report. [Samson Wire, Standard]

President William Ruto has urged the Kenya Kwanza MPs not to be tempted to join the opposition.

Ruto, who was speaking during the National Assembly Conference on Legislative Matters in Nairobi, Monday, said there will be temptations to want to join the opposition but they "should not drop the ball."

"Sometimes, it's easier to criticise the government but you must remind yourself always that the government that is being criticised is yours. The opposition will be doing their bit. Please do yours," he said.

The President was speaking amid plans of protest by the Azimio la Umoja Coalition who have organised a consultative meeting tomorrow with members of the public at Kamkunji Grounds. Among the issues, they plan to discuss is the high cost of living and how the country is being managed. The MPs are attending a two-day conference meeting to set the agenda for 2023 when they resume sittings in February.

The legislators broke for their long recess on Thursday last week and will resume on February 13, 2023. The president asked the MPs to play their part and let the opposition play theirs. He advised the legislators not to forget that Kenya Kwanza is the government that they chose to be part of before the August 9 polls.

Azimio Coalition led by Raila Odinga has vowed not to relent in ensuring that the government is put in check to deliver campaign promises made to Kenyans.

The President said that with the opposition attacking him, they should remember that they are also being attacked as they formed the government together and made promises to Kenya as a team during campaigns.

He warned the MPs not to be tempted to say the government belongs to Ruto and Gachagua." That is why you will never hear me say my government. I always say the government of Kenya because I do not want anyone to misunderstand it to be Ruto's government," he said.

"It's our time now to ensure we achieve what we promised the people of Kenya during campaigns and we must do so as a team."

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked MPs to follow the recommendation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) task force and use wisely the money from the Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). He asked the MPs to use the funds in expanding school infrastructure such as building more classrooms for junior secondary.

He advised them to take advantage of the two months that students will be away from school to build more classrooms to enable the Kenya Kwanza to achieve the 100 per cent transition to junior secondary. "I requested MPs to avail resources from the CDF for construction of extra classrooms and laboratories," he said

The task force asked MPs to support in building extra facilities to implement CBC. They recommended that an extra classroom and laboratory will be built in every primary school. The MPs said they will be seeking Ruto's intervention in firing some of the administrative secretaries terming them "proud."

Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitaru said they look forward to the president relieving them of their duties.