President William Ruto has today attended a church service at his rural home town in Eldoret.
Ruto, who was accompanied by his wife Rachael and their three children at the AIC Fellowship church, said it was his pleasure to return home.
“It is indeed a pleasure to be back home, in my hometown and village, It is always good to be in your village and thank you for welcoming me,” said Ruto after leading the congregation in singing Bwana u sehemu yangu.
He explained that he decided to spend his Easter in the village so that he can supervise planting as part of his administration’s measures to ensure farmers increase production to address the cost of living.
“We have a big debate in the country about the cost of living and how we need to reduce the cost of food but it boils down to what we do as farmers, so as a farmer I came down here to look at what I can do to make a contribution to food production in our country,” he stated.
This year, he said, he intends to double the productivity of the farm so that he can contribute to food production.
With the fertilizer being sold a half its price this year as compared to the previous years, the head of state challenged farmers to increase their efforts.
He said Kenya Seed has so far sold an extra 200, 000 kilos of seeds so far leaving an extra number.
In a statement which appeared to target the Opposition leaders on their clamor about the high cost of living, Ruto said due to the prevailing situation they had decided to import foods.
"Beginning this week, the food will get to the market... But that is not the solution, the solution is for us to produce it locally because we have the capacity," he observed.
He also used the opportunity to thank the churches for praying for the country during the last general election, saying while it was a difficult time for all, God saw us through.
“Thank you for praying for us, we had the best elections ever acclaimed by all... The people who participated in the elections, observers said this was the most credible elections ever held in Kenya and we thank God for that season,” he said.
He also noted with concern the rising cases of drug abuse in the country among the youth terming it a crisis.
Ruto called for concerted efforts among parents and stakeholders to tame the vice.
Rachael on her part said it was an opportunity to be at the home church.
"When we were talking with my husband about where we to go to church it was not difficult to say we are going to AIC fellowship," she said.
