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President William Ruto has ruled out any possibility of discussing the results of the last General Election, saying the people had already determined their leaders through the ballot and it was now time to discuss issues affecting Kenyans.

The President said although there was need for dialogue for the sake of national unity, such talks should be centred on the needs of the wananchi and not about leadership positions.

The President who was speaking during an inter-denominational prayer service at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday said he will soon convene a meeting with all elected leaders from Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties to discuss the development needs of the region.

The President’s announcement seems to signal a new strategy of consolidating his support in Ukambani and other regions deemed to be leaning towards the opposition through elected leaders rather than negotiating with their party leaders.

Ruto revealed that he had reached out and held talks with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka after the elections and implored him to work with the government but the Wiper leader had declined the overtures.

He said he thus had no alternative but to work with the elected leaders and those from the region whom he had appointed to various positions in government.

“I reached out to Kalonzo Musyoka after elections because I wanted us to work together. I told him my friend, I have won this thing let us work together but he declined and said he wanted to continue in the opposition,” said Ruto, adding that it was alright for the opposition to continue with its work and let the government plan for the development of the people.

He thanked Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti for choosing to work with the government.

Ndeti and her Deputy Francis Mwangangi played host to the President and were present at the prayer rally which was organised by the Lower Eastern Region United Clergy Alliance.

Defining moment

The President’s position had been earlier voiced by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua who said it was now a defining moment for Ukambani region as they had to choose between working with the government and engaging in opposition protests.

“This is a defining moment for the Kamba Nation. You have been given three cabinet positions in this government unlike in the handshake government where you had only one cabinet position,” said Gachagua.

He thanked the community for shunning protests and destruction of property saying the protests will not bring down the cost of living.

Ndeti said she will not stop working with the national government as the Constitution was clear on her mandate as governor.

She urged opposition leaders to accept their position and let the government work for the people.

She pointed out that she had a contract with the electorate and will be judged on how she delivered services at the end of her term and therefore had to work with the President in order for more resources to reach her county.

Ndeti’s stand is a departure from her party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who has backed Azimio Alliance leader Raila Odinga on his call for protests.

Other leaders who spoke at the event and called for the unity of the Kamba Community included Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka who is UDA organising Secretary, Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule, his Kitui East counterpart Nimrod Mbai, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua and former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko among others.