Deputy President William Ruto has urged the Pokot community to embrace education and shun outdated practices in order for development to be realized in the area.
Speaking during a tour in West Pokot County, Ruto said the county was marginalized for long and has acquired a bad image citing that it’s high time the community engages in meaningful development to end poverty and reduce illiteracy levels.
“We should change the bad narratives of cattle rustling and hunger. I will make sure that this area develops,” he said.
He called on parents in the area to take their children to school. “We have placed enough money in schools and we want children from this place to learn. The government will pay the exam money for all candidates in the country,” he said.
The DP called on residents to embrace peace in the region citing that the government is doing all it can to transform the area.
Ruto who launched last mile connectivity at Cheplaman Silianyang’s house in Kokotendwo said that Kokotendwo village will benefit from Kshs 3 million to supply power in the area.
“The government will use Kshs. 240 million to supply electricity in the whole West Pokot county and Kshs. 60 million in Sigor constituency,” he said.
The DP called on voters in the area to vote for the jubilee government in the coming general elections in 2017, saying that the current government has changed the image of West Pokot County in the last three years. Ruto urged residents to avoid cheap politics and vote overwhelmingly for the jubilee government.
Despite West Pokot county being perceived as a KANU stronghold, the deputy president said he will regularly visit the county to make the region a Jubilee zone.
Speaking at Kokwotendo mixed secondary school during a fundraising, Ruto said that come 2017 it will be a two-horse race between Jubilee and CORD hence slammed other parties for refusing to join either Jubilee or CORD.
He said the Jubilee government is sure of their flag bearers until 2022 and nothing will hinder them from thrashing other parties.
“We are not doing guess work, vote wisely if you want development,” he added.
Ruto who was accompanied by area Governor Simon Kachapin who also drummed up support for Jubilee government, and assured the DP that he should not be intimidated by a few leaders who don’t support Jubilee.
“My County will vote for you to be our next president come 2022, our County was marginalized but the Jubilee government has transformed the remote parts of this County,” said Kachapin.
Kachapin said he is ready to battle it out with his opponents in the gubernatorial seat saying that he will defend his seat with his development record.
“People are tired of propaganda we are in an era where people want development at the grassroots level,” he said. Kachapin lauded the government for its efforts to restore peace in the area .