President William Ruto testerday fired back a sharp political salvo at his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of a continuous trend of advancing tribal politics, which is causing division and disunity among Kenyans.

The President maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration will not align with individuals who believe in disunity, promoting parochial politics and ethnic interests at the expense of national cohesion.

“We do not share a vision with tribalists, haters, and those who believe in dividing our nation,” Ruto said, in a direct rebuke to Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Gachagua, “We walk with those who believe in a broad-based government that unites Kenyans.”

He urged Kenyans to rally behind him and to support government initiatives as they are meant to transform their lives for the better.

Ruto stressed that the time for politicking is far away, adding that he is now immersed in working for Kenyans and delivering on campaign promises. He accused Gachagua and his allies of diverting the attention of Kenyans to politics, thereby misleading them that his government is inefficient. 

“We have two groups of people among us, those who want to work without a break and those who are forever doing politics. This is the time to work for Kenyans, engage in agriculture to curb hunger, take our children to school and provide work for the youth so that our economy can grow,” he said, adding that the season for politics will come and Kenyans will judge the government based on whether they were working for them or we were just being mere talkers.

Difficult choices

He affirmed his commitment to unite Kenyans under the broad-based government to deliver projects and developments for the public.

Ruto insisted that the tough decisions he has been making since he assumed power, which have made him unpopular among Kenyans are beginning to bear fruit

“When we said bottom-up transformation, we knew it was going to be difficult, but we had to do it. The results are there for everyone to see. I am proud to be part of the leadership that is making decisions that are bringing about the transformation of the nation,” said Ruto

Ruto is facing a new wave of opposition meted on him by Gachagua who launched his party last week to anchor his bid to topple the president from power in 2027. Gachagua has instigated the ‘one term’ movement that is running side by side with his party’s slogan ‘Skiza Wakenya’ (Listen to Kenyans) which has gained popularity.

One Monday, the former DP hit out at Ruto whom he blamed over a spat of attacks witnessed at his (Gachagua’s) rallies and party launch, emphasising that he will not cower from telling Kenyans the truth about the inadequacies in the Kenya Kwanza government.

President Ruto was speaking when he handed over some 1080 units of the Mukuru Affordable Housing to families from Mukuru slums.

In his address laced with Bible verses, a Christian chorus and a lengthy prayer, an elated Ruto recounted how he triumphed over his naysayers who tried to put him off, terming the project as impossible.

“When I came to launch the project two years ago, many told me that I was a liar and that it was impossible, but I am here to usher you into a new life because that’s the commitment I made to Kenyans. I am happier than you, my dream has come true,” he added.

The Head of State said yesterday was one of the most consequential days in his career, as he distributed keys to residents from the slums to become new homeowners of decent house units.

Apart from the houses, the President said that the government will build a market, a Level Four hospital within, an Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centre, a primary and secondary school.

“Your children are not going to school on a muddy, insecure and unclean area again,” he told the new homeowners.

According to Ruto, there are 200 construction sites where the affordable houses are being built with about 150,000 housing units countrywide.

“The constitution commands us as leaders to make sure that the citizens are entitled to decent living conditions with best possible sanitation,” Ruto said.

He was accompanied Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Lands Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, MPs and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Nairobi.