- Ruto dismissed claims by his opponents that if he ascends to the presidency in next year's general election, he will return evictees back to forest.
- The DP lashed out at those using it as a campaign tool.
Image: COURTESY
Deputy President William Ruto has reiterated his efforts to conserve Mau forest saying it should be conserved at all costs.
He dismissed claims by his opponents that if he ascends to the presidency in next year's general election, that he will return evictees back to forest.
He made the remarks during at Covenant Church International at Osasimwa Narok North subcounty on Friday.
In attendance were MPs Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Ken Kiloku (Narok East), Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Soipan Kudate (Women Rep), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu) and Narok Women Rep aspirant Rebecca Tonkei.
“Our opponents should now look for another agenda to use when they are in Narok because the Mau issue is a gone case. The illegal settlers have been removed from the forest to pave way for the restoration of the biggest water catchment area,” Ruto said.
The DP said those evicted from the forest will not return to the biggest water resource and lashed out at those using it as a campaign tool.
“We are committed to conserving the forest and we have put plans to ensure it is fenced to stop it from further destruction, encroachment and illegal loggers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ruto has challenged his opponents to show their track record to Kenyans having been in power for a long time.
"Aspiring candidates for this seat have been in elective posts in the past and their records leave a lot to be desired. It is a direct insult to the Kenyan people for the same leaders to still be asking for votes from people they divided along tribal and religious lines," the DP said.
He also accused them of promoting regional and tribal parties that divide Kenyans along tribal lines.
“It is totally ironic to claim that you are uniting Kenyans while on the other hand you sponsoring your small parties to counter our party is like preaching wine and taking water,” he said.
He added that the leaders should know that Kenyans are clever and know the tactics that are meant to backtrack them.
"You cannot base your leadership on ethnicity, a good leadership requires uniting all Kenyans and that is what we believe in UDA leadership," the deputy President said.
Duale said the reason why the region lags behind in development is because they have been voting leaders who are not in government.
"This time around, make sure you vote in leaders who are in UDA so that your grievances can be addressed in the next government,” he said.
Kiloku decried the poor road network in the region saying the next government that will be formed by the DP will address the issue.
Tonkei said Narok North which is perceived to be ODM stronghold, has now embraced the hustlers movement.
“We want to change this narrative and Narok is now backing the deputy president and supporting the bottom-up approach," Tonkei said.
-Edited by SKanyara