President Ruto urges leaders to be patriotic

President William Ruto has urged leaders to put the interests of the country first before their own.

The President said leaders should be motivated by the urgent need to transform the country and not personal interest.

Speaking during the funeral of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo at his Bartabwa home on Saturday, President Ruto called for unity among leaders in addressing the challenges facing Kenyans.

“As leaders, we should be patriotic and proud of our country. If Kenya succeeds, all of us will succeed,” he said.

He noted that despite differences of opinion, leaders should stand together on issues that take the country forward and development.

Singling out universal healthcare and the Affordable Housing Programme, President Ruto said: “If something is good, put the country first and support it.”

The President told leaders that populism is transient and what the country needs are bold decisions that are good for the country’s prosperity.

On the Social Health Authority, he said leaders should work together to ensure the lives of Kenyans were taken care of.

At the same time, President Ruto assured residents of the Kerio Valley that firm security measures have been put in place to ensure peace prevails in the region.

He said opening up of roads, schools and health facilities was part of the plan to ensure that the region undergoes economic transformation.

The presence of 5,000 security personnel in the North Rift, including 3,000 soldiers and 2,000 General Service Unit, police and Administration Police officers, the President said, was the clearest demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensure peace and normalcy.

“I have given firm instructions to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who understands the region, to deploy all the necessary resources and ensure peace prevails,” he said.

President Ruto remembered Senator Cheptumo as a persistent leader in the search for peace in the Kerio Valley and the North Rift region in general.

“Today, we celebrate peace because of committed leaders, among them Senator Cheptumo,” he said.

He eulogised Senator Cheptumo as a gentleman, a colleague and friend, a focused politician and passionate leader.

“He was resourceful and progressive, a leader with tangible development credentials. His powerful voice faithfully spoke for the voiceless, furthering peace and stability in Baringo County and the entire Kerio Valley,” he said.

The Head of State pointed out that the construction of Barbello-Tot-Chesegon road, that will link Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties, will increase economic activities and ease the movement of people, goods and services in the Kerio Valley.

Meanwhile, President Ruto commended retired Chief of Staff of the then Kenya Armed Forces Daudi Tonje, who was at the funeral, for introducing sweeping reforms in the military.

The President cited the retired General’s enormous contribution, saying the reforms he introduced have benefitted the entire Kenya Defence Forces.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I celebrate you as a great General. It’s people like you who make great leaders in this country,” he said.

General Tonje was Chief of Staff of the Kenya Armed Forces, now Kenya Defence Forces, between 1996 and 2000. He spearheaded major reforms in the military that are enjoyed to date.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi cautioned leaders against politicising the few challenges facing the  universal healthcare.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi commended President Ruto for working with leaders in the Opposition, saying it was good for the stability and prosperity of the nation.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula emphasised the need for leaders to work together in solving problems facing Kenyans instead of engaging in blame games.

He told church leaders to refrain from political engagements and preach the Gospel.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah stressed the need for religious leaders to concentrate on their spiritual duties and steer clear of meddling in political affairs.

Mr Ichung’wah regretted that some clergy have neglected their role and instead turned into fuelling political wrangles

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot told residents of Kerio Valley to live harmoniously in honour of the late Cheptumo, who fought hard to ensure peace prevailed in the region.