‘I’m the advocate for jobless youths’ – Ruto on petition challenging housing levy

President William Ruto has vowed to do everything within his power to ensure the affordable housing programme succeeds.

Speaking during a church service at Soy in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, January 7, President Ruto defended the recently introduced housing levy, emphasizing that the funds are crucial in supporting the project.

At the same time, the President faulted those opposing the initiative, saying the petition challenging the levy was not in the best interest of jobless youths set to benefit from the housing project.

The Head of State pledged to fight for the youth, saying he is an advocate for the unemployed Kenyans.

He said he would not remain silent as few privileged Kenyans continue to oppress the downtrodden.

“Do you want me to remain silent as these few people frustrate our projects through the courts and deny our youths jobs? I am going to be their advocate,” President Ruto told congregants at AIC Sugutek church.

“I want to urge all our leaders who have jobs and income we must not use the opportunities we have to undermine others.”

He urged all leaders and arms of government to work together for the benefit of all Kenyans.

“Let us avoid negative competition. There should be no competition between the executive, the judiciary or the legislature. We must work together for the benefit of millions of Kenyans who pay taxes, people who look up to us,” he added.

President Ruto’s remarks come days after he claimed that the courts were being used by malicious actors to frustrate the Kenya Kwanza projects including the housing programme and new healthcare laws.

Speaking at a funeral in Nyandarua County on Tuesday, Ruto accused some judges of being corrupt and colluding with cartels to sabotage government projects.

“We will not allow these people to derail our plans,” he said as he directed Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua to move with speed and allocate funds for the construction of a road in Nyandarua County which had stalled following a court order.

The remarks sparked criticism from various quarters who accused the president of interfering with the independence of the judiciary.

Chief Justice and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) chair Martha Koome, Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA) and the Law Society of Kenya came out to defend the judicial officers against Ruto’s attacks.

Koome called on the judges to continue discharging their duties without fear or favour. She also called on any aggrieved parties to lodge a complaint with JSC.

“The JSC wishes to reaffirm the independence and integrity of the Judiciary as a co-equal arm of government, as enshrined in the Constitution and urges all Judges and Judicial Officers to continue performing their judicial duties without fear or favour. The Judiciary should live up to the constitutional edict, in Article 160(1), that safeguards the exercise of judicial authority,” Koome said.

“Attacking judges and Judicial Officers who made a decision in public undermines all the values of our Constitutional order. Such attacks or comments when made on matters which are pending before any court also violate the sub judice imperative which is a rule of law,” she added.