• President assures Eastlands residents that the demolition will have human face
• The government has bought five million bags to ensure increased food production
Image: PCS
President William Ruto says no amount of name-calling will stand on the way of his economic transformation of the country.
Speaking during a church service at ACK Emmanuel parish Bahati in Makadara constituency yesterday, the President said he is focused on the efforts to turn around the country’s prospects.
“I have no problem being called by whatever name so long as I achieve a better destiny for this country,” Ruto said.
“I have been given this position by God to change this country for the better.”
In attendance were area MP George Aladwa and Nairobi Governor Johnstone Sakaja.
The head of state said his efforts in ensuring food security through agriculture, decent housing and addressing the runaway unemployment are slowly bearing fruits.
He said economic turnaround will come with some pain, but called on leaders and Kenyans to support his administration’s efforts to make citizens live a dignified life.
The President said the affordable housing programme will ensure all Kenyans live dignified lives.
He assured residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands estates earmarked for demolition that nobody will be forcibly evicted and that the process will have a human face.
“There will be no eviction. Everyone will be given a place to stay as we do the construction, and then you will come to occupy the new units,” he said.
The President was responding to a plea by Aladwa that the residents should be given more time to relocate.
There has been a public outcry after the Ministry of Lands issued a notice to residents of six government estates in Eastlands to vacate to give space for the affordable housing project.
The notice given by Housing PS Charles Hinga was directed to residents of Jogoo Roaqd Phase I & I, Jamaa, Mbotela, Ahero and Mawenzi Gardens.
They were told to vacate their homes by April 30 after clearing the outstanding arreas, utility bills and service charges.
To increase food production, Ruto said his government has bought five million bags of fertiliser to enable farmers to double their production.
Speaking at the service, Sakaja said doctors employed by Nairobi county have no reason to strike, threatening to replace those particiçating in the industrial action.
The county boss said his administration has addressed all the issues cited for the strike, adding that the issue of interns is not a county function.
“As Nairobi county, there is no delayed salary, our insurance cover for doctors is among the best in the region. In fact, we spent Sh2 billion for their comprehensive cover,” Sakaja said.
“They are striking for placement of interns and that is done by the national government.
“If you want to be in solidarity with the national union, you cannot do that at the expense of lives of innocent Kenyans.”