Deputy President William Ruto has responded to ODM leader Raila Odinga’s calls for political unity and stability, stating that it can only be meaningful if it’s not about leaders sharing power.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Gatina where he attended a church service, the DP said stability and unity of a nation is built on a platform where every citizen can be the best that they can.
"It is going to be informed by a conversation that enables those who are jobless, the hustling mama mbogas and farmers, to be part of the equation economically so that we can create prosperity that creates an equal society and equal opportunities," Ruto said.
He also insisted that the priority of our country should not be how some leaders plan to share power after elections, but how an economic revolution can be created to enable the people create more jobs and opportunities.
"Wakati mnapanga kugawana mamlaka na vyeo kuna wakenya milioni kumi na tano ambao wanatarajia nafasi za kazi, nafasi za biashara na kuzalisha chakula ndio tuweze kutembea sote kama wakenya," he said, which translates to, "When you are plan how to share power and positions there are 15 million Kenyans expecting jobs, business opportunities so that we can all move together as one country."
Ruto's remarks come hours after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Kenyans need to give more attention to the role of political unity and stability because it plays a vital role in growing an economy.
Raila noted that Kenya must always strive to keep a balance between economic development, social and political stability and effective governance.
"We have tended to act as if we can stumble into economic growth and prosperity, however disjointed and unstable the country is and regardless of how we govern," he said.
He added, "Long-term stability, which results from effective and clean governance is a key plank for economic growth and job creation. Even the best economic plan will fail to create prosperity if government is ineffective, the country divided and political landscape shaky."