[PHOTOS] Peace in areas prone to insecurity can be achieved - Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has said peace and stability in areas prone to insecurity such as West Pokot can be achieved.

Speaking on Friday, during his campaign at Tapach in West Pokot, Ruto said this can be achieved through a deliberate programme that focuses on investment in agriculture and infrastructure that will open the region to local and foreign investments.

"We are committed to ensuring that areas such as Sigor is not taken back to the periphery where they were despised. West Pokot, like other marginalised areas in Kenya, remains solidly at the centre of UDA’s of transformation agenda.

Ruto was in the company of MPs Lilian Cheptoo (West Pokot), Peter Lochkapong (Sigor), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kimani Inchung'wah (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), former Governor Simon Kachapin, former MPs Philip Rotino (Sigor) and Julius Murgor (Kapenguria).

Ruto added that the Bottom-Up Economic Model will seek to reverse marginalization by using agriculture and enterprise to uplift affected areas.

He said this shall be achieved through the subsidization of farm inputs and financing of small businesses which will help to spark opportunities and create a base for sustained economic growth.

Ruto also endorsed former West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin as the next governor.

“Kachapin kuja, simama hapa. Tumekubaliana tutatembea pamoja? Tuko na governor ama hatuna? Governor wa West Pokot ako ama hayuko?” Ruto said in his address.

The race for the West Pokot gubernatorial seat is set to be stiff competition between the incumbent Prof. John Lonyang’apuo and  Kachapin.

Kachapin was defeated in the last general election by the incumbent county boss under the Kanu ticket.