President William Ruto, on Thursday, June 1, criticised Azimio la Umoja leaders who had called for public protests against his Kenya Kwanza government.
In the thinly veiled attack targeting former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his coalition leader, Raila Odinga, the head of state noted that his administration would no longer entertain leaders fronting selfish interests.
Ruto explained that he had changed the national conversation from hardline politics to people-centred service delivery.
"For the first time in this country, our election was guided by values and policies rather than tribal enclaves, which had previously led to destruction and loss of lives.
"I can confidently say that the August 2022 General Election was the most peaceful in recent times as compared to many others that had led to the destruction of property and death of innocent Kenyans," Ruto stated.
The Head of State asked Kenyans to support his vision for the country by making sacrifices to move the nation forward.
"We will not allow self-seeking leaders to take us back to that kind of politics which has nothing to do with improvement of the living standards of ordinary people.
"The focus now is on the development of the country, and we will work together with all leaders to ensure that no part of Kenya is left behind regardless of who they voted for in the last election," Ruto stated.
Ruto noted that some leaders were, however, trying their best to derail the country by sponsoring chaos among the youth. The Head of State noted that despite bipartisan talks, divisive politics will not be tolerated.
"The conversation can no longer be about which positions leaders will assume, but it must be about the many hustlers who need jobs and equal opportunities. We must never forget that until fairly recently, our country’s politics was a divisive, violent, do-or-die affair by which neighbours, colleagues, and even relatives were incited into hatred in the name of political competition.
"In this dark era, the tribe was the fundamental term of all political engagement and the master variable of the democratic contest. Many highly respected experts and eminent persons confidently affirmed that Kenyan politics is inherently tribal, and many leaders designed their political parties, policies, and campaigns based on raw tribal appeals," he claimed.
On Wednesday, May 31, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki refused to speak on claims that Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was linked to the resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki sect.
Journalists took Kindiki to task after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, May 26, claimed that Uhuru was behind the outlawed sect.
“What do you want in this country? You occupied the highest position in this country. What else do you want? You are the richest man in this country. You literally own this country - including us. What else do you want? Gachagua wondered.
Uhuru has yet to respond to the allegations. However, at the May 22 Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC), he asked politicians to preach peace and urged his critics to allow him to manage his party without interference.
