Deputy President William Ruto has said Kenya should move away from divisive politics and embrace the conversation on jobs, businesses and embrace all economic ventures. The Deputy President, who spoke on Sunday during roadside meetings in Bungoma town and during an interdenominational service at Bumula’s DDC grounds in Bungoma County castigated leaders who may brush aside what people do for a living.
His sentiments come on the back of narratives built around the ‘hustler’ tag, with COTU boss Francis Atwoli saying hustlers are thieves. The DP on Saturday took to social media to once again defend the use of the term, saying no one should despise other people’s business ventures.” Speaking in Bungoma town at Chebukube market, he said everyone’s business must be given the recognition it deserves, “We must respect everyone’s work and business….we want to help everyone in their businesses, that is the conversation we want, one about our businesses and jobs.”
On matters development, he said the government has focused on improving infrastructure in Bungoma County. He said the road from Mateka, to Bumula, Kimaeti will be tarmacked. He said Kshs 2.5 billion has been set aside to improve electricity connection to more than 30,000 residents, and that water connectivity for Bungoma town residents and the County at large will be boosted.
The Deputy President was accompanied by several leaders, including Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria among others. MPs Washiali and Mabonga faulted the plan to lease Nzoia Sugar Company, “We won’t welcome people in Bungoma who want to sell Nzoia, we won’t welcome people in Bungoma who crashed Mumias,” said Mabonga. Washiali, on his part, said the government leased Mumias Sugar Company land years ago, which hasn’t been returned, “What affirmation do we have that the Nzoia leased farms will be returned after 30 years?” he posed.