Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, October 16, promised that his government will allocate Ksh120 million per year to all constituencies in the country if he succeeds President Uhuru Kenyatta.
While addressing a rally at the Kongowea market in Mombasa, the DP stated that the funds would run parallel with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Ruto added that the Members of Parliament would thus have affordable resources to support their residents. However, the Ksh120 million allocated to the constituencies to fund citizens who have small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs).
"Next year my administration will include in its budget a special fund that will be geared at supporting small traders.
“We will allocate Ksh120M as an addition to the Constituency Development Funds. These funds will help us release hustlers from the shackles of debts," Ruto remarked.
The DP insisted that small scale business operators are struggling because they lack stable sources of capital to keep their businesses afloat.
“There are many small scale business operators who do not have nice stalls to run their businesses, a law to help them or anywhere to get loans from,” Ruto noted.
Notably, Ruto promised to crack down on cartels and brokers who profit from taking advantage of small scale businessmen and women.
His sentiments came after he donated Ksh2 million to the traders at Kongowea Market, adding that he would splash more funds once he assumes office.
“Today, we are giving you Ksh2 million, but that is so little. Next year, I pray that you will not receive something as small as Ksh2 million," Ruto noted
The DP also criticised Orange Democratic Party Leader(ODM) Raila Odinga's Ksh6,000 promise to the youth arguing that they deserved more support other than cheap handouts.
"These young people need businesses. I have to meet this 'man of riddles' to discuss greater projects and not handouts."
