President William Ruto on Sunday dared opposition leaders to set out a concrete development plan for the country. He spoke at an interdenominational church service at Nyamaiya Stadium in Nyamira County, Ghafla reported. The service opened his tour of the Gusii region.
Ruto said his rivals had no ideas on roads, the cost of living or farming. "The other guys do not have a plan; they have no ideas about roads," he said, according to Ghafla. He said Kenyans wanted roads to bring down the cost of living and better-run education. They also wanted cheaper fertiliser and an end to brokers in agriculture, he said.
He urged residents to reject empty promises. "Do not entertain conmen," he said. He added that rivals must explain how they would improve agriculture, create jobs and upgrade infrastructure. Ruto also said he did not want politics of division and hatred. Every part of the country should be developed, he said.
Local leaders backed him. South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro said political contests should be about ideas, not tribes, and that voters should decide. Kisii Governor Simba Arati called for fair sharing of resources. He said some places had never seen tarmac and that all Kenyans pay taxes. Nyaribari Chache MP Zeheer Jhanda praised government projects in Kisii and Nyamira, Ghafla reported.
Education CS Julius Ogamba, Transport CS Davis Chirchir and Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo also attended. So did several MPs, including North Mugirango's Joash Nyamoko, Bonchari's Charles Onchoke and Nyaribari Masaba's Daniel Manduku. The Star also listed Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Mongina Momanyi and Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya among those present. Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri and Kitutu North MP Japheth Nyakundi were there too.
After the service, the President is expected to visit West Mugirango Constituency, according to The Star. There he will commission a constituency digital hub and launch the upgrading of the Bondeni-Magombo Road. He is then scheduled to launch the Tombe-Isinta-Mokomoni Road in North Mugirango. He will also break ground for the proposed Magwagwa Stadium. If delivered, the projects would give residents better roads and new digital and sports facilities.
The reports did not include any opposition response to Ruto's remarks.