• DP William Ruto said that the country's leadership in 2022 will be decided by Kenyans and not brokers.
• MPs who accompanied the took issue with the runaway insecurity in some parts of the country due to what they termed as the laxity of those managing the security sector.
Deputy President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to reject leaders who bank on tribal politics to ascend to the presidency while addressing a huge crowd at Kimaeti, Bungoma County.
Deputy President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to reject leaders who bank on tribal politics to ascend the presidency.
He said he was optimistic that the outcome of the 2022 general election will not be determined by politics based on tribalism.
"The next general election will be unique because politics of tribalism will be buried. Kenyans are saying no to politics of tribalism and are embracing issues pertaining to economic empowerment," Ruto said.
Speaking in Cheptais, Sirisia, and Bumula in Bungoma County on Friday, Ruto said Kenyans were no longer interested in rhetoric but development-oriented leaders.
"It's impressive that the conversation now in Kenya has changed and it's about economic empowerment. Kenyans have forced leaders to talk about the economy by outlining their plans and manifestos.”
At the same time, Ruto said the country's leadership in 2022 will be decided by Kenyans and not brokers.
"Kenya's leadership cannot be decided in hotels or in Nairobi by brokers or few individuals. It's the people who will decide on the nature of leaders to elect come 2022," Ruto said.
He added that, "I want to tell those interested in leadership positions to leave their comfort zones and talk to Kenyans at the grassroots because they are the ones who have the final say on issues of elections."
The DP was accompanied by MPs Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Mwambu Mabonga (Bumula), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), John Waluke (Sirisia), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Robert Pukose (Endebess), Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and former Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale.
The MPs took issue with the runaway insecurity in some parts of the country due to what they termed as the laxity of those managing the security sector.
They said Interior CS Fred Matiangi was more focused on political activities at the expense of addressing challenges facing the security sector.
The legislators were reacting to reports that more than twenty people were killed following two separate banditry attacks in Samburu and Marsabit Counties on Thursday.
"It's the responsibility of the government to protect people's lives and property in any part of this country. CS Matiangi should either do the duties of managing the security docket or simply resign," Barasa said.
Barasa urged CS Matiangi to stop politicking and focus on his duties of managing the country's security.
Wanyama said that Matiangi was responsible for the deteriorating state of security in the country because he was more focused on politics.
He urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to find a suitable replacement for Matiangi, saying he has failed to manage the security docket.
Washiali said Matiang’i has undermined the independence of the office of the Inspector General of police by managing its operations.
"We want the CS to allow the office of the IG to do its job independently and in accordance with the Constitution instead of managing it," Washiali said.
The leaders vowed to mobilise their supporters to rally behind the leadership of the Deputy President for the top seat come 2022.