President William Ruto has urged Members of Parliament to continue to tour the country on legislative and administrative responsibilities as part of their efforts to promote national unity.
Speaking at Amutala Stadium in Kimilili, Bungoma County, during a prayer service, President Ruto said MPs have three roles to play: Representation, law and oversight.
In addition to the members of parliament who represent their states in Parliament, the President said they have the responsibilities of making laws and management which requires them to understand the country so that they can fulfill their responsibilities properly.
“I am happy that many leaders from different parts of the country are here today. This is part of our united efforts,” said President Ruto.
“By going outside of your states, you will be able to exchange ideas and better understand your legislative and administrative responsibilities. By doing this, we will build a united and prosperous nation,” he added.
At the same time, President Ruto has warned leaders against divisive politics.
The President said Kenyans should learn from the past and reject leaders who promote the politics of division and hatred.
He urged leaders to embrace the politics of national unity.
“As leaders, we should not walk the slippery slope to divide Kenyans,” he said.
He said leaders should focus their attention on changing the country instead of getting involved in words that divide the country.
“We have many things to do as leaders. Let’s focus our attention on changing the country and not dividing the country on ethnic lines,” he said.
President Ruto said he is confident that the steps taken by his administration to revive the economy were fruitful.
“I am sure about the future of our nation. Let’s stay focused and plan together for a better life in the future. This nation is going somewhere,” said President Ruto.
While this is happening, President Ruto has assured Kenyans that no part of the country will be left out in the development of the nation.
He said the government has plans for each region based on the development needs of each region.
“We have development plans in every part of Kenya. Every region must be part of our development agenda. No county will be left out of our development agenda,” said President Ruto.
He assured sugarcane farmers in Western Kenya that the government has made various reforms in the sector to ensure the smooth operation of the Nzoia and Mumias sugar mills.
He warned that the government will deal harshly with those who misuse public funds, noting that a lot of resources were pumped into the Nzoia Sugar Factory in the past, but with nothing to show for it.
President Ruto announced that a 5.3 billion Shillings contract had been signed for the construction of a gold refinery in Kakamega County, saying that Minister of Mines Salim Mvurya would visit the factory next week.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula called on leaders to help unite Kenyans and abandon the politics of dividing the country.
“Kenya belongs to all of us regardless of our status in society,” said Wetangula.
He congratulated President Ruto for inclusion in the selection of the government, saying all the regions of Kenya have been given a chance.
The Chief Secretary of the Council of Ministers Musalia Mudavadi told the leaders to jealously protect unity in the country by ending politics based on ethnicity.
He said the efforts of President Ruto in the selection of Raila Odinga for the election in the position of chairman of the African Union Commission are commendable.
“President Ruto is leading in uniting this country. This is why he supports Odinga, who was his fierce competitor, for the post of chairman of the African Union Commission,” said Mudavadi.
Deputy Speaker of the Senate Kathuri Murungi urged leaders to embrace the politics of unity among Kenyans.
Governor Paul Otuoma (Busia) praised President Ruto’s ongoing efforts to help Odinga get elected as AU Commission chairman, even though he was his political opponent in the last General Election.
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and his Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa also called on leaders to embrace the politics of national unity saying tribalism has no place in modern Kenya.
The leaders present were MPs Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), John Chikati (Tongaren), Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon), Fredrick Ikana (Shinyalu), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Martin Wanyonyi (Webuye East), John Sharp. (Kanduyi), Beatrice Adagala (Women Representative, Vihiga), Malulu Injendi (Malava), John Waluke (Sirisia) and David Wakoli (Senator, Bungoma).
Others were Kuria Kimani (Molo), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Robert Gichimu (Gichugu), Kanini Kega (EALA), Sabina Chege (Nominated), John Methu (Senator, Nyandarua) and Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri ) City).
All leaders stressed the need for unity among Kenyans for peace and development.
Kimani, who is also the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, congratulated President Ruto on his recent State Visit to the United States, saying the country will benefit from the many agreements signed.
“You have prepared yourself, President, to make our country known internationally,” said Kuria.
Chege said her Jubilee party will support President Ruto in implementing his development agenda for the country.
