Image: PCS
President William Ruto has told Migori residents to get used to him, saying he is working on the same attitude.
He said this was aimed at building a peaceful and developing country, as opposed to one filled with chaos and violence.
“Mimi nataka niwapatie warning nyinyi watu wa hapo Migori. Nyinyi muanze kunizoea kwa sababu hata mimi najipanga kuwazoea,” he said.
This is loosely translated to, “People of Migori, I want to warn you. You will have to start getting used to me because I am also working to get used to you.”
Speaking on Sunday at Sony Sugar Company grounds in Awendo, Ruto said his tour to the Lake -Basin region was not an idle trip, but rather a planned one.
“I did not come to Migori because I lacked someplace else to go to. I came deliberate so I can talk to you,” he said.
Urging the people to remain united, Ruto reiterated that since he is now president, chief opposition leader Raila Odinga is ‘his person’.
This, he said is just as Ruto was Raila’s person back when the former was part of the ODM team.
The President warned that the “deep state” could not defeat him now that he is president, saying leaders are chosen by the people, not the ‘system’.
He went down memory lane, back to the days when he was in ODM and responsible for the party’s campaigns in Rift Valley Province leading to the 2007 General Elections.
“Siku ile hatukupata. Lakini Safari hii si tumepata. Sasa shida yenu iko wapi? Mnafaya maandamano ya nini na mimi ni raisi na tulikuwa tunatafuta siku hiyo pamoja?” he asked.
This is loosely translated to, “That day we did not get it. But this time round (2022 general elections) we did. What is your problem now? Why are you picketing, and I am the president, and it is what we were looking for back then?”
The President reiterated his call for all Kenyans to be united, noting that despite political divisions and ethnic backgrounds, they remain to be citizens of Kenya.
He assured Migori locals that he was going to be fair in rolling out development plans across the country.
Among the plans for Migori include the construction of new markets in the area, aimed at creating a dignified trading place for ‘mama mboga’.
On health issues, Ruto said the government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable health care.
He noted that Migori has about 2,670 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), whom the government has provided with, about Sh52 million worth of equipment.
“Every year, we will be setting aside Sh54 million for purposes of their payment,” he said.
“These CHPs are the agents that will transform our health delivery from being curative to being promotive and being preventive. That is our commitment and mission,” Ruto said.