William Ruto calls for tolerance in drive

Deputy President William Ruto consults with Bishop Geoffrey Gichure , Deputy Presiding bishop of Africa Inland Church during the opening and dedication of AIC Gathiriga , Gatundu South Kiambu County on Sunday service. PHOTO | DPPS |  

In Summary

• Last week, chaos erupted in Nandi County leaving Governor Cleophas Lagat’s Chief of Staff Timon Kosgey seriously injured after he was hit on the head by people opposed to the referendum.
• In a veiled attack that seemed to target pro-referendum governors, Mr Ruto, who was with MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Eusila Ng’eny (Uasin Gishu women’s representative), and County Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer challenged leaders to state how they had spent taxpayers’ money.

By WYCLIFF KIPSANG
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United Republican Party (URP) boss William Ruto Sunday visited his North Rift home turf as the referendum debate fronted by Cord and a section of Jubilee governors gathers pace.

Speaking when he presided over the opening of Christ is the Answer Ministries (Citam) Eldoret Assembly Church at Pioneer in Uasin Gishu County, the Deputy President, called for tolerance in the country.

IGNORANT PEOPLE

Mr Ruto, who was hosted by Citam’s Presiding Bishop David Oginde, urged Christians to pray for Kenya.

“Forget about the debate you hear about from ignorant people. Pray for them so that they can see that Kenya is greater than any individual,” the Deputy President said.

Last week, chaos erupted in Nandi County leaving Governor Cleophas Lagat’s Chief of Staff Timon Kosgey seriously injured after he was hit on the head by people opposed to the referendum.

The governor is supporting the referendum campaign. 

Mr Kosgey was flown to Nairobi Hospital for specialised treatment.

In a veiled attack that seemed to target pro-referendum governors, Mr Ruto, who was with MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Eusila Ng’eny (Uasin Gishu women’s representative), and County Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer challenged leaders to state how they had spent taxpayers’ money.

The DP said that a dual carriageway and a bypass would soon be built in Eldoret Town to decongest it.

Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno opposed the referendum campaign, saying, there were other ways of pushing for an increase in funds allocated to counties.

“If Parliament can approve all audited accounts, we will not even need to have 40 per cent allocation as we will have enough money to run our development programmes,” Mr Chemno said.

A day after the Uasin Gishu chaos, the Makueni County Assembly engaged Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his allies in a gunfight that left five people with seriously injured in circumstances not linked to the vote.