DP Ruto condemn anti – IEBC demonstrations
Deputy president William Ruto has strongly condemned the anti – IEBC demonstration led by the opposition coalition CORD terming it unconstitutional.
Speaking in Lugari Sub County when he laid a foundation stone for the construction of a Technical Training Institute in Chevaywa ward, Ruto blamed the Opposition for causing unnecessary panic and street protest in the push to oust IEBC commissioners.
He said constitution was clear on procedure to remove a government official from office urging the CORD brigades to follow the due process of disbanding IEBC through a petition in parliament other than resorting to law of the jungle.
“As a government we are not defending IEBC but we are telling those who have a problem with the commissioners to follow the right procedure if the y really wants to remove them from the office,” said the DP.
Ruto urged leaders to seek amicable ways of solving their problems without causing unnecessary tension through demonstrations which he said later culminates into violence, looting and even loss of lives.
He said the country had learnt painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence and would not wish to see a replica of the same during this electioneering period and even after the 2017 general elections.
The DP said government was committed in ensuring the 2017 elections were free, fair and peaceful and appealed to political leaders to allow Kenyans choose their leaders without clouding the electoral process with intend to influence their choice.
At the same time Ruto reiterated the Jubilee government’s commitment to fulfill its manifesto including ensuring electric connectivity, improvement of health facilities, educational system, road infrastructure development among other development agendas.
On education the DP assured Kenyans that by the end of the year all standard one pupils will have received laptops as promised during the campaign ahead of the 2013 election adding that the government was also committed to ensure all public primary and secondary schools were connected with electricity.
He also advised Kenyans to embrace Technical Training Institutes so as to acquire technical skills that will help them in the competitive technological world.
“I think we should have a paradigm shift to our education system, rather than spending a lot of time learning history that Vasco da Gama reached Kenyan coast on such and such dates we should focus on beneficial subjects that will help our youths, we want to furnish our young men and women with relevant technical skills and competences that will equip them so that they can be productive in job market. ” said Ruto.
“For years technical institute have been perceived as places for the academic dwarfs or failures but we must change this notion and join them and get the required skill,” said Ruto adding that 70 percent ofyouths in developed countries that have advanced economically such as German and Australia go to Technical institutes.
The Deputy President revealed the government will construct and fully equip the Chevaywa TTI at a cost of Shs.100million.
The college will sit on a 10 acre piece of land, bought by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from a local resident.
However, the DP donated Shs.1million towards offsetting unpaid balance for the land.
He revealed that similar institutes will be constructed in Likuyani, Navakholo, Malava and Mumia west and east sub counties.
On infrastructural improvement he said they have solve the problem that had stalled construction of Kisumu – Kakamega road and it will be completed soon.
He also revealed the construction of Kakamega – Webuye road had been given to another contractor and it will commence soon.
Also to be constructed is the Kakamega – Navakholo road which will join Bungoma county at Musikoma.
In order to improve healthcare the DP said the government will expand and fully equip at least two hospitals in every county.
“Here in Kakamega, the county hospital has received equipment worth Ksh. 725M, Malava has received equipment valued at Ksh. 380M, in Bungoma county Webuye has received Ksh. 380, while Bungoma county hospital has received machines worthy Ksh. 425M,” said Ruto.