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President William Ruto yesterday toured his North Rift backyard where vowed that his administration will continue streamlining various sectors to ensure efficient service to wananchi.

Ruto said he will not be cowed by what he called “Lords of impunity’ whom he said have resorted to run to court to challenge various policies in his administration aimed at uplifting the living standards of Kenyans.

“We are not going to accept blackmail from people who now feel exposed because they have been benefiting from the corrupt system,” said Ruto.
Among his administration’s policies which have been challenged in court include the controversial housing scheme and the Social Health Insurance Act.

In the new Social Health Insurance Act, a petition argues that the mandatory 2.75 percent from employees is excessive on Kenyans who are already burdened by taxes and deductions. Dominic Oreo argues that the Act is unclear, adding that it does not provide mechanisms and reliable ways to identify members.

But the President yesterday vowed that his administration will fight to the bitter end in court arguing that the social health insurance will benefit all Kenyans irrespective of their status in society.

“My administration will continue cleaning all departments including health even if those who were benefiting from corrupt schemes move to court,” said Ruto.

He was speaking when he presided over this year’s Baringo Cultural Fair and Kimalel Goat Auction.
He said his administration had achieved a lot in the past one year, citin subsidised fertilizer programme which he said had resulted in a bumper harvest.

War on bandits

Ruto said his administration was doing its best to bring down the cost of living.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to stamp out banditry in the North Rift adding that more than 3,000 Kenya Police Service officers and 1,500 Kenya Defence Forces officers deployed to the region will not be removed until this is achieved.

“It is my commitment to the people of North Rift that we are ready to go any length to eliminate banditry for our people to go about their normal businesses to build the country,” he said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dismissed the criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration over the high cost of living, saying they inherited a dilapidated economy.

“Kazi inaendelea (work is going on). It is only that we inherited a dilapidated economy and we are doing our best to revive it,” said Gachagua.