By Nyanza News Reporter
President William Ruto has told politicians to stop whipping up ethnic politics and instead sell their agenda to Kenyans.
The President regretted that divisive politics hinders national unity efforts and is a barrier to transformation and progress.
Speaking in Bondo town, Siaya County, on Sunday, President Ruto commended the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and late party leader Raila Odinga for the bold move to work with him under the Broad-Based Government, saying it was for national unity and shared prosperity for all.
“We want to tell those spreading division, politics of ethnicity and insults that they have no room in modern-day Kenya. Leaders should tell Kenyans what they will do for them,” President Ruto sais.
He told Kenyans not to be bothered by the noise of government critics, saying it would not interfere with the transformation agenda of his administration.
“Our focus is to deliver services to Kenyans. We are not bothered by the noise of naysayers. There are those with a hangover of ethnicity,” he said.
He assured Kenyans that the country has no room for politics of exclusion, saying there was enough space to accommodate all Kenyans and no community will be locked out to accommodate another.
In the 2027 election, the President pointed out, Kenyans would judge leaders according to their development record and not on where they come from.
He attributed the noise of his critics to lack of a plan, a roadmap and agenda of taking the country forward. He explained that Kenyans are able to differentiate between development conscious leaders from those who engage in rhetoric.
“Those banking on tribal politics and insults will be in for a rude shock because Kenyans will elect leaders depending on their development record,” he said.
On the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda signed between him on behalf of the ruling party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and the late Odinga for ODM, President Ruto said it has been well done.
The President told off those claiming the report has been shelved, saying they have run out of ideas for there is a dedicated team overseeing the implementation.
“We want to welcome the naysayers to familiarise themselves with the 10-Point Agenda. We have a report that captures the reality of our nation,” he noted.
Earlier in the day, President Ruto attended Sunday service at St Michael’s Anglican Church of Kenya in Bondo. Later, he attended a thanksgiving prayer service for Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga in Rarieda, Siaya County.
He described Dr Oluga as an industrious, focused and dedicated public servant.
“He is one of our best, and I have no doubt in my mind that we will do well in matters health because we have a professional running our medical services,” President Ruto noted.
ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga, who is also the Senator of Siaya, said they were ready to enter into negotiations with UDA ahead of the 2027 elections.
Saying ODM was in the Broad-Based Government to stay, Dr Oginga pointed out that those who want the party to get out of government are day dreaming.
“We are in the Broad-Based Government to stay. In 2027, we must be in power. We are negotiating with UDA so that we have something to be proud of,” he said.
On the 10-Point Agenda, Dr Oginga dismissed those claiming that nothing had been achieved and told them to wait for the report.
“Those saying there is zero implementation of the 10-Point Agenda are lying,” he said.
He said the committee overseeing the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda and the 2023 National Dialogue Committee Report are ready to submit a status report on Tuesday.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed said the party has mandated Dr Oginga to engage with UDA ahead of 2027 elections.
Present were Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Health) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Ambassador Ida Odinga, wife of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Governors Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Paul Otuoma (Busia), MPs and other leaders.
