Garissa celebrates Ruto victory, say it’s win for pastoralists

Some Garissa residents on Wednesday took to the streets to celebrate the declaration of William Ruto as President-elect after winning the just concluded presidential elections.

Led by several elected MCAs and women groups, the residents said it's time for Kenyans to settle and go back to their jobs and businesses.

Fatuma Ahmed, a resident, described Ruto’s win as that of pastoralists saying now that he is the head of state, the region will witness accelerated development.

“We are very happy that the deputy president won the race. It gives us hope that even us, from the pastoralist communities, can rise to the leadership of this nation. The future really looks bright for our region.” 

“For a man who rose from a chicken seller to president-elect, it gives hope to minorities in the country that they can work hard and rise to top leadership positions in the country. We are very proud of him,” Fatuma said.

She said among the issues they were looking forward to have Ruto prioritise are improvement of security in the region, issuance of ID cards, taming extra judicial killings and ending challenges in acquiring passports.

Other issues include improvement of the livestock sector, water, roads as well as finding a permanent solution to teachers crisis that has bedevilled the regions for a long time.

“Now is the time for Ruto to start implementing all the promises he made to us on issuance of ID cards to our children, opening of the Kenya – Somalia border and bringing more government services to Garissa,” she added.

Another resident Amran Hassan said they have faith in Ruto fulfilling all the promises he made to the region describing him as a man who keeps his word.

“Ruto is first and foremost a pastoralist like us, he understands the challenges and issues that we are facing as a region and which requires quick fixes, mid term and long term addresses. For the period I  have known him, he is one who keeps his word,” she said.

She added, “So we are very much optimistic that our region will witness accelerated growth in the next  five years and with our own son Aden Duale a trusted ally who has stood with him through thick and thin, things can only get better.”

Garissa Township MCA-elect Hussein Mohammed thanked the IEBC for withstanding the pressure of the nature of their jobs to deliver a free, fair and credible election.

During his last visit in Garissa a week to elections, Ruto said he very well understood the challenges the region was facing promising to address them once he assumes office.

Ruto who was accompanied by several leaders among them Duale, assured them that there will be no enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings.

“Never again will sons and daughters from this region be treated like second-class citizens. I want to tell you while in Garissa that I will make you get all these important documents as quickly as possible once one applies just like is the case with other Kenyans from other parts of the country,” Ruto said.

He added, “It is unfortunate that this region has lost hundreds of men which has led to many widowers and orphans. This really pains me. This will come to an end with the Kenya Kwanza government. If somebody is suspected to be involved in any form of illegal activities the law will take its course."

He promised to pump Sh50 billion special fund that will go into supporting the business community.

-Edited by SKanyara