By: N. George
Worth Noting:
- He was happy with young people who he said that they have given everything to their movement in terms of resources, time, strength, ideas and moral support. Hustler nation being young the youthful generation are essential pillars of their movement, the DP assured them of his commitment to open up opportunities for them to thrive and drive the process of our nation.
- He talked of his engagement in politics since his youthful days becoming a member of parliament aged 31 years, assistant minister at 33, cabinet minister at 36, opposition MP at 37. In his journey he had achieved successes, made mistakes and refined his leadership philosophy and vision for this country.
It was a big day yesterday 15 March at Kasarani Indoor Arena as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) national delegates convention endorsed deputy president Hon. William Ruto as their party leader and presidential flag-bearer in August 2022 general election. DP Ruto was accompanied by his wife Rachael and two daughters.
He is seeking to succeed his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta whose two presidential terms are expiring in August and he has thrown his weight behind Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
More than 5000 UDA party delegates attended the colourful event.
Kiambaa MP John Njuguna proposed DP Ruto as the UDA party flag bearer and the delegates endorsed his proposal.
Upon endorsement, Ruto was given powers by UDA party to initiate, discuss, negotiate and enter into any coalition, mergers, affiliations and alliances ahead of the August election.
He thanked people who have engaged in all businesses in the UDA party by registering or supporting the registration through financing and facilitating it. Terming it as a party of Kenyans from all walks of life he said that the party does not discriminate anyone based on economic background.
He accepted the delegates’ nomination to be UDA flag bearer in the coming presidential elections with gratitude to almighty God, recognition of the significance of that moment and acknowledgement of the work remaining and the road ahead to that day that they all look forward to.
He promised the delegates to live up to their trust, do his best to exceed expectations without stopping, pausing, slowing down or hesitating until what they have asked of him is delivered.
He thanked his competitors in the interview for UDA presidential candidate Tracy Wanjiru Kingoli and Jephanei Orina. He saw in them a hopeful future in a country where youth, wealth, name, circumstances of birth, ethnicity, gender and disability are not considerations or obstacles to accessing opportunities or realizing aspirations. He added that everyone as he or she is perfectly valid and good to go.
He was happy with young people who he said that they have given everything to their movement in terms of resources, time, strength, ideas and moral support. Hustler nation being young the youthful generation are essential pillars of their movement, the DP assured them of his commitment to open up opportunities for them to thrive and drive the process of our nation.
He talked of his engagement in politics since his youthful days becoming a member of parliament aged 31 years, assistant minister at 33, cabinet minister at 36, opposition MP at 37. In his journey he had achieved successes, made mistakes and refined his leadership philosophy and vision for this country.
He noted that leadership failures can cost the country tremendous opportunities and inflict an irreparable harm on the subjects. Highlighted the importance of inclusion saying that government is all about the people and the programs need to be designed on the people’s terms, continuous engagement with people is indispensable to effective governance, leadership works and listens more but speaks less.
He termed the March 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio flag bearer Raila Odinga as undemocratic, formed in terms which rationalized grounding and swallowing the whole opposition and the vandalization of the constitution to accommodate corrupt and dangerous ethnic arrangements. Distancing himself from the unfulfillment of the big 4 agenda, he said the handshake led to its failure, despite Jubilee leadership having used it to campaign during the 2013 and 2017 general elections.
Having spent the last 4 years interacting with ordinary Kenyans he has appreciated the need for leadership to interact with the citizens, that is why he will work from the bottom up knowing that taking care of the bottom he will have dealt with issues affecting everyone.
Adding that bottom up means including those who have not much progressed economically and not bottom versus up which could bring disharmony.
He promised to firmly confront and dismantle the state capture the conflict of interest that has evolved into state capture through corrupt political and economic arrangements, adding that public policy must not be customized to benefit the private and personal interests of a select few.
He told the delegates that the 9th August vote is a competition of ideas and sides where two groups will compete one of them (Azimio) will see the future of the country by changing the constitution to create positions for a select few whereas UDA/ Kenya Kwanza will prefer a future with changed economy to create opportunities for millions of Kenyans thereby enhancing inclusivity.
He castigated those who sabotaged the big 4 agenda, terming them as the forces against the Kenyans by denying them opportunities to work and do businesses.
According to him, lack of definite jobs, opportunities, access to credit and law to protect enterprises has made 10 million Kenyans to be currently participating in the lottery.
If elected as the president DP Ruto promised that on the first day in office his government will elect an accounting officer in Inspector general (IG) of police and directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) so that so as to bring financial independence from the office of the president thereby enabling them to better execute their duties and responsibilities.
He will also professionalize the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), digitize it and enable collection of currently uncollected 60 percent Value Added Tax (VAT). This will eliminate the need for government to fight Kenyan enterprises in the name of collecting taxes.
His government will operationalize the judiciary fund law which has been in the constitution for more than 10 years freeing it in decision making it financially independent so that they can discharge their mandate without interference from the government owing to financial dependency.
His government will free agriculture from cartels, brokers and cartel, this will give farmers access to fertilizers, quality seeds, markets, good prices for their products and government support to produce food for the nation and earn decent income.
According to DP Ruto revitalization of agriculture, improvement of tax collection processes, removal of conflicts of interests and coming with a concrete plan will help to double our tax revenues thereby reducing borrowing which can cripple our country.
A concrete environment for saving will be created by Kenya Kwanza as opposed to the current regime which has concentrated on borrowing as the easier route according to Ruto.
Among the leaders present at the event include governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Kahiga Mutahi (Nyeri), Salim Mvurya(Kwale).
Members of parliament include Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), John Kiarie(Dagoretti Sourth), Cate Waruguru(Laikipia), Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), Feisal Bader (Msambweni) and John Njuguna(Kiambaa) among many others.
Senators Cleophas Malala (Kakamega), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Kindiki Kithure (Tharaka Nithi), Johson Sakaja (Nairobi), Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a), Kimani Wamatangi(Kiambu) and Kipchumba Murkomen(Elgeyo Marakwet) among many others.
Women Reps Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), Liz Chelule (Nakuru) and Rahab Mukami(Nyeri) among many others.
Party leaders present were Musalia Mudavadi of Amani National Congress (ANC), Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya, William Kabogo of Tujibebe Wakenya Party of Kenya, Moses Kuria of Chama cha Kazi, Mwangi Kiunjuri of The Service Party of Kenya (TSP), Isaac Ruto (Chama Cha Mashinani) and Jimmi Wanjigi of Safina Party.
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Dennis Dibondo