We will not relent in the fight against insecurity in the North Rift region, President William Ruto has assured.
Speaking at the Kimalel Goat Auction and Cultural Festival in Baringo County on Thursday, Ruto said the government is committed to restoring peace in the troubled region.
“This is the Government that will end cattle rustling and insecurity in the region,” the Head of State said.
He noted that the government has deployed more than 1,500 Kenya Defence Force officers and 3,000 Police officers in the region to fight criminals.
Ruto added that the government is also beefing up security in other insecure parts of the country, citing Lamu County.
“We will ensure every part of the country is secure. Our only problem should be fighting poverty and creating opportunities for Kenyans,” he said.
Ruto explained that restoring peace in these regions will give residents a chance to engage in meaningful socio-economic activities.
With him at the auction were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads) and Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives), Governors Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) and a host of MPs and MCAs.
The President announced that schools in the North Rift will reopen in January next year to enable children to resume their education.
He added that the Government is putting in place robust measures to enhance the country’s agricultural resilience.
He noted that the Government has registered farmers for ease and transparent distribution of affordable fertiliser.
“This is the way to help our farmers produce more and reduce the cost of living.”
At the same time, Ruto issued a stern warning to those misappropriating public funds within the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
He argued that the Government will not tolerate any attempts by a few individuals to manipulate the NHIF system and loot its resources for personal gain.
He said the Government is committed to delivering Universal Health Coverage and reducing the monthly contribution for low-income earners.
“We are not going to accept blackmail because those who are sponsoring court cases against UHC are the people who are benefiting from corruption in NHIF,” he said.
“We will expose all of them and make sure what we are doing in the health sector is delivered for the benefit of millions of Kenyans.”
Gachagua said the government has put in place robust measures to restore the country’s economy.
However, he urged Kenyans to exercise patience and give the government space to realize its development agenda.
Cheboi said the construction of dams in the region will boost agricultural productivity through irrigation and eradicate hunger
Rotich said the Kerio Valley is now peaceful thanks to government inventions.
