‘Sitaki mnisumbue’ – Ruto warns Homa Bay residents against anti-gov’t protests

President William Ruto has asked Homa Bay residents to keep off anti-government protests and activities that enhance violence.

Speaking to the residents on Saturday, October 7, 2023, the president made it clear to the residents that the only way he was going to foresee the establishment of roads in the region was if the residents collectively agreed to refrain from protests which he says have caused destruction of roads and properties among others.

He also asked the residents to assure him that they would not destroy the roads and developmental projects should he proceed with the projects.

“Nataka mniskize vizuri, mimi nakuja hapa kutengeza bara bara ya lami lakini niko na maswali kwenu kwa sababu mara nyingine mnaenda mnachoma bara bara. Sasa mimi nataka kuwauliza, hii bara bara mnataka tuchome ama tujenge? Mimi nataka nipate ishara kutoka kwenu, barabara nikijenga mtachoma?

“Mimi sina pesa ya kuweka kwa barabara ambayo itachomwa. Tuelewane sitaki mnisumbue, hapa vile vile pale mfangano nmeanzisha barabara na nikasema baada ya miaka tatu nitaeka barabara ya lami,” he stated.

The Head of State also informed the residents that he had reached out to investors worldwide, however, they were shying away from investing in the county because of protests and violence recently witnessed. He also urged the residents to maintain peace in order to attract investors in order to spur the country’s economic growth.

“Nimepata watu ambao wanataka kueka utalii hapa kwenu lakini wameniuliza kama mtaharibu mali yao. Nawauliza, hii mambo ya maandamano ya kuharibu mali ya watu itaendelea hapa Homa Bay? Sisi tunaeka amani katika nchi yetu ya Kenya ndio waegezaji wakuje hapa so that we can grow our country.

“No investment is going to come to Kenya if we are violent people who engage in destruction of property and businesses. We want to encourage people to come and invest in our country but we must also, as the people of Kenya ensure that we are a peaceful nation and be people who appreciate property, and business so that we don’t destroy people’s businesses and property otherwise we are going to lose investments,” he stated.

Ruto, while reiterating that he would not tolerate anti-government protests, maintained that the protests only pushed the country backwards and stagnated the country’s economic growth.

“Sitaki tena niskie watu wamekosa kuegeza mali yao Homa Bay kwa s ababu kuna fujo, kwani mnapata faida gani kwa hii fujo, kuna faida mnapata kwa maandamano? Hiyo maneno nimekataa. Ni mambo ya upuzi sana,”he said.

Further, the president assured the residents that the government has agreed to work with all leaders, even those from the opposition, to push the country forward.

“Nataka niwahakikishie kwamba tutaungana na tutashirikiana. Tumekubaliana sisi wote na viongozi wote wa Azimio, UDA na ODM, tumekubaliana kwamba tutshirikiana ili kupeleka taifa letu mbele kwa maendeleo, miradi na mipango ya maendeleo” he added.