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President William Ruto yesterday appeared to blame external forces for the deadly protests against the Finance Bill, saying the financiers were out to grab power using the backdoor.

Speaking in Kajiado county, President Ruto warned politicians against using “shortcuts” to ascend to power.

The President said Kenya is a democratic country where the people decide the fate of the nation’s leadership.

He appealed to Kenyans and leaders to shun acts of violence that undermine the country’s peace and stability. “There is no need for disrupting peace, causing violence or using shortcuts. Kenyans are clever and they will decide how Kenya will move forward,” he said.

President Ruto warned of “forces operating abroad”, who were focused on dividing the nation, that their schemes will not succeed.

He reminded leaders that they should execute their mandate diligently, knowing that they will face the electorate in 2027 to account for their time in office. “There is no need to fight each other now; let us wait for the 2027 test and see who will win and who will lose,” he said.

The President was at Kimuka, Kajiado county, where he commissioned the Kimuka Sub-Station that will serve over 600,000 residents in Karen, Dagoretti, Kikuyu, Kabete, Ngong, Matasia, Magadi and Ngemwa.

The 220/66KV sub-station will strengthen the existing distribution network and help offload 80 megawatts from the Nairobi North Sub-Station.

This, he explained, will reduce system instability, ensuring an adequate and reliable power supply in the Nairobi Metropolitan area and Kajiado county.

Pensionable terms

President Ruto assured teachers in Junior Secondary School that despite the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, they would be confirmed under permanent and pensionable terms. “I had plans to employ 20,000 more teachers, but I will pause that plan until next year,” he added.

The President said the government is keen on building a country that is inclusive, leaves no one behind and one that every Kenyan will be proud of.

He said the government is rolling out Universal Health Coverage to ensure Kenyans are able to access treatment whenever they fall ill.

Present were Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, MPs Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), George Sunkuyia (Kajiado West), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central) and Senator Said Chute (Marsabit County).

Lenku committed to continue supporting the government to achieve the country’s development agenda.

“The responsibility of building our nation is a joint venture that calls for concerted efforts,” he said.

Ichung’wah claimed that there were deliberate plans by individuals he termed political scavengers hell-bent on distracting the government from implementing its agenda and dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.

He said they have been inciting Kenyans against MPs. “We want to tell them to wait for the elections in 2027. Let them sell their agenda to the people of Kenya,” he said.