- Ruto has been under intense criticism from ODM boss Raila Odinga and other politicians who have accused him of using the church to clean graft proceeds.
- Raila has often questioned the source of the huge donations he makes in churches and Harambees across the country.
Image: DPPS:
Deputy President William Ruto has once again told off those critical of his cash donations to the church even as he called for peace ahead of the polls.
Speaking at AIC church in Illmasin, Kajiado county on Sunday, Ruto said he is not about to stop the donations saying the move is a "command from God."
“Many people are criticising us for supporting the church. It is because they don’t know the source of our drive,” he said.
“There are those thinking that we are giving perhaps because we have. The real philosophy of giving is that we don’t give because we have. We have because we give,” he said.
Ruto has been under intense criticism from ODM boss Raila Odinga and other politicians who have accused him of using the church to clean graft proceeds.
Raila has often questioned the source of the huge donations he makes in churches and harambees across the country.
“Every month he is giving handouts of Sh100 million yet we know that his earnings are about Sh3 million. Where is he getting the money? It is from corruption?” Raila recently said.
But the DP maintained that he will not be bogged down by the criticism saying that his kindness is from God.
“We will continue to work with the church. I have made this commitment before that we shall continue doing the work of God. Because all this work we are doing is not because of a human being or we want popularity. We are doing it because we know God,” he said.
Ruto, who attended the morning service before flying back to Nairobi to attend ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi’s big day at the Bomas of Kenya, challenged his competitors to commit to peace.
“I want to ask those we are competing with to cool down. There is no need to incite people or abuse people,” the DP said.
“Let everybody sell their agenda. Kenyans are brave and will elect the best agenda. That is way, we will have a better nation and a peaceful elections,” he added.
The country's second in command claimed that a section of leaders have run out of ideas and have resorted to inciting the electorate and abusing their competitors.
Ruto said he and his UDA party has embarked on uniting the country, adding that through his party, he has brought on board at least 160 MPs.
“I want to believe that we have built a strong foundation. When you see us uniting at least 160 MPs of Kenya, it means we are committed to uniting this country.”
“We are sure that in the unity that we have, God will command a blessing of success,” he added.
Ruto, whose UDA party has attracted at a least two aspirants for Kajiado governor, assured the aspirants of free and fair nominations.
The UDA boss urged those who will miss out on the party ticket to remain in the outfit, promising that all members will be accommodated in his government, if he wins in the August 9, polls.
-Edited by SKanyara