- “How do you expect me to be quiet when a few people are rushing to the courts to stop plans to create job opportunities for Kenyans,” he said.
- Ruto has been locked in a row with the Judiciary, threatening to disobey court orders restricting his flagship policies and accusing judges of corruption.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has maintained that he will not keep quiet as courts put on hold his development plans.
“How do you expect me to be quiet when a few people are rushing to the courts to stop plans to create job opportunities for Kenyans,” he said.
The Head of State added that the people who have gone to court to stop his plans have no idea what it is like to be educated, skilled and talented, and without a job.
“Those who don’t have jobs do not have money to hire lawyers or bribes courts. I will stand with them. I am going to be their advocate until they get jobs,” he said.
The President spoke in Soy, Uasin Gishu County, during a church service on Sunday.
Ruto has been locked in a row with the Judiciary, threatening to disobey court orders restricting his flagship policies and accusing judges of corruption.
The President suffered a setback last year when the courts issued orders blocking the implementation of key projects his administration wants to undertake.
Chief among them is the High Court’s declaration that the Housing Levy, through which the Kenya Kwanza seeks to build over 250,000 housing units, is illegal.
Apart from the controversial housing levy, the government’s plan for the Social Health Insurance Fund and the privatisation of 11 parastatals including the Kenyatta International Convention Centre were stopped.
The proposed privatisation of Lamu and Mombasa ports has also been put on hold by the courts.
Addressing the faithful on Sunday, Ruto said it is regrettable that people in leadership are using their positions to sabotage plans that will create jobs for Kenyans.
“I do not want quarrel anybody, I do not want to fight anybody and I want all leaders to unite. However, we cannot unite to sabotage other Kenyans. We cannot unite to scatter plans that will create jobs for Kenyans,” he maintained.
The President said millions of unemployed young Kenyans are educated, creative and skilled and have no opportunities to get jobs.
“If you are a leader in Judiciary, Executive or Legislature, you must ask yourself, how will you help the educated youths?” he stated.
Ruto said the three arms of government should not compete against each other but work in harmony.
“For Kenya to make any meaningful strides, it will mean that all arms of government have to work together. Leaders in the Executive, Judiciary and Parliament must all work together. We must all cooperate as we target how the country will move forward,” he added.
The Head of State reiterated that Kenya will not move forward if the three arms of government and independent institutions continue to fight each other.
“I am asking all leaders that of greatest importance is transforming the county. Those who started with us; Singapore Malaysia and South Korea are far ahead of us. Kenya is late and we have no time to waste,” he said.
He added that the transformation of Kenya has been delayed because leaders have not been making decisions that will change the country for the better.