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President-elect William Ruto has said no part of the country will be sidelined by his administration.

Speaking during his first thanksgiving service at PCEA Gathiruini church in Githunguri, Kiambu county, after being declared winner of the recent presidential election, Ruto gave his commitment to uniting the country.

He also used the occasion to thank his Azimio-One Kenya Alliance competitors, led by its flag bearer Raila Odinga, for embracing peace even after disputing his election as the fifth president of Kenya.

“For the first time, they have not planned demonstrations or other undesirable actions. This a good way to start growing our young democracy in the right direction,” said Ruto who was accompanied by Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua and several other leaders.

Ruto also thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and promised to carry on from where he leaves. “He will have his respect and enjoy his space and I am going to continue from where he will have left.”

The President-elect pledged to revive projects worth Sh500 billion which, he said, had stalled.

Referring to the election results announced by IEBC from across the country, the DP said his coalition had 25 per cent of votes from 39 counties which he termed as the broadest mandate compared to the 2017 polls when he and Uhuru had support from 34 regions.

Ethnic politics

Ruto thanked Kenyans for maintaining peace during and after the elections.

“This is proof that we can vote and maintain peace, the people of Kenya have raised the bar of leadership to a new level. We won’t let you down.”

The President-elect also said the August 9 election had helped bury politics of ethnicity, saying the people voted for issues instead.

Ruto also appreciated Central Kenya people for overwhelmingly supporting him. “Thanks for making me one of you and taking me as a son. You have changed the politics of our country. No Kenyan will be left out in my administration. The government will be for all, that is my commitment.”

He said the people of Mt Kenya were the heroes and heroines in the elections “because you helped us to bury tribalism.”

Ruto assured Kenyans he and all the elected leaders in Kenya Kwanza will not let them down as a reciprocation of the honour and respect they bestowed upon them.

Gachagua said Kenya Kwanza administration will strive to implement all the projects it promised Kenyans during campaigns. “First and foremost, we shall ensure our tea, coffee and dairy farmers will get guaranteed maximum returns of their products.”

He said Mt Kenya voters had, through the vote, proved they were not betrayers and breakers of promises.

Present during the service were newly elected governors Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Moses Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandaru) and Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri).

Move on

Wamatangi and Kahiga said Kenyans have faith in the leadership of Ruto and urged Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition to concede defeat and allow the country to move on.

Also present were the new Kiambu parliamentarians as well as Mt Kenya leaders Kimani Ichung’wah, Dindi Nyoro, Moses Kuria, Alice Wahome and Gathoni Wamuchomba, who hailed Kenyans for embracing peace during and after the August 9 election.

They urged their competitors to “come to terms to the fact that Kenyans made their decision” and were ready to move on by accepting the outcome of the elections.

“We want to plead with our competitors who are still in denial to accept the will of God. However, we shall respect their right to go to court and pursue their right in the corridors of justice,” said Ichung’wah.

He also asked outgoing President Uhuru to accept the results of the election.