President William Ruto this week unleashed his wrath on Sugar cartels in Kenya even as prices of the commodity continue to rise.
He declared war on sugar cartels sabotaging the government's plan to revive the ailing industry.
A tough-talking Ruto on Sunday demanded that two investors fighting over control of Mumias sugar company must cease, pack up and move out.
"We have told those people to move out. Mumias belongs to the people and we shall plan for the revival of the sugar mill afresh," he said.
Ruto said the government will no longer entertain cases lodged in court at the expense of the revival of the sugar factory.
The President spent the better part of his week in Western Kenya
On Monday, his diary was full and he started by giving Sh20 million for the completion of Chepkurkur Technical Training Institute after inspecting the project.
Ruto, in his address, highlighted the pivotal role of technical education in driving Kenya's socio-economic growth.
While touring Nzoia Sugar Company, the President announced that it would undergo a leadership change as part of the government's strategy to revamp the ailing cane miller.
Ruto said it's unacceptable that the miller has an accrued debt of Sh53 billion despite various bailout plans while private millers are doing well.
"This time round we must get it right. We can't play another poker game here of bringing Kenyans' money and it gets lost," he said.
Ruto also launched the Sh500 million Bungoma Aggregation Industrial Park and announced the upgrade of Sang’alo to National Polytechnic status.
“Our main agenda is to change the lives of our people. The Industrial Park will spur regional development, accelerate the local economy and enhance farmers value chain addition,” he observed.
President Ruto also promised a complete facelift in and around the institution, infrastructure, and ICT hub, and promised to construct 500 hostels for the students.
He also pledged to construct new modern markets at Webuye, Bukembe, Naitiri, Chwele, Mateka, Cheptais, Malakisi and Chebukube, and ICT hubs in all the 45 wards.
Walking the talk of a no sideshow President, Ruto on Tuesday chased away two contractors in Kakamega due to stalled road projects.
During a rally in Kakamega, Ruto said that he was working on the project with Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe some time back but there was no progress.
"Together with Wangwe, we started this road from Shianda but the contractor has failed to meet project expectations and I will deal with the contractor accordingly," he said.
"Then there is another road stretching from Lurambi through Navakholo to Nambacha. I was in Sang’alo two days ago. That road has also stalled. The contractor has proved to be problematic and I have chased him away," Ruto added.
He chaired his first Cabinet meeting at Kakamega State Lodge where they approved three Bills that will repeal NHIF and in its place establish three funds: Primary Healthcare Fund; Social Health Insurance Fund; and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
On Wednesday, the Head of State maintained his stand on corrupt sugar cartels despite calls to withdraw his statement.
Speaking in Kakamega, Ruto said he will not back down from fighting sugar cartels, asking the sugar cartels to either depart Kenya, go to jail or go to heaven.
"Wacha nirudie ndio wasikie vizuri, nimesema wafisadi, wakora, wezi, wale wanaiba pesa ya Wakenya wameangusha kampuni ya Mumias na wakaenda wakaangusha Kampuni ya Nzoia alafu wanakuja hapa wanajifanya, nimesema waafisadi wote, wakora na wezi wote wahame Kenya. Wahame ama wasihame? Na wasipohama tunawafunga jela. Na wakiendelea wapange mipango waende mbinguni," he said.
This loosely translates to: "Let me repeat so that they hear well, I have said corrupt cartels who are stealing from Kenyans, who brought Mumias and Nzoia Sugar companies down and are now behaving bullish must vacate Kenya. If not, they will go to jail or heaven."
The remarks came after the Azimio La Umja coalition, the Law Society of Kenya and Civil Society turned the heat on the president terming his remarks as "unfortunate".
But Ruto in a rejoinder told off critics saying the Sugar cartels do not deserve to be addressed politely.
On Thursday, the President asked elected leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties to stop supremacy wars and instead unite to serve the people.
Ruto who spoke in a meeting with elected leaders from the two Gusii land counties at State Lodge Kakamega, insisted on unity of purpose across the political divide.
On Friday, the President said Kenya is committed to ensuring its diplomatic ties are strengthened.
He spoke after he hosted a delegate of high commissioners from different countries at the State House.
Ruto later opened the Talanta Plaza in Upperhill Nairobi whose 16-storey building will house the offices of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and the Arts, as well as the offices of sports federations.
“This project reflects our commitment to sports, youth, and the arts and is now the nerve centre of the Talanta Hela Initiative, our flagship program to monetize talent in our country,” he remarked.
The President later graced an Awards ceremony at the Plaza where Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa were awarded Sh2 million each after bagging gold in their respective specialities in the recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
According to the President, the two and the whole team that represented Kenya in the championship are the reason the country is the best in Africa.
"Let me also congratulate the golden ladies, Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon. Our congratulations Mary. Congratulations times two Faith you ladies are a great asset to our country. You are the reason why Kenya is the best in Africa. And you are the reason why Kenya is number five together with your team and all the others," Ruto said.
Later in the evening, Ruto launched electric motorcycles at Mama Ngina Waterfront Park in Mombasa County.
The launch of the electric motorcycles, commonly known as e-boda boda, comes three months after President Ruto on Madaraka Day announced Kenya will roll out local production of electric bikes.
Then motorbikes, which will retail at Sh150,000, have been manufactured by Spiro, an electric motorcycle manufacturer with a presence in Togo, Benin, Rwanda and now Kenya.
Ruto also pledged to set up an electric motorcycle manufacturing and assembly plant at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.
“In the next six months, we are looking forward for Spiro to set up its assembling plant here at Dongo Kundu in Mombasa. And we want in the next year, that manufacturing of these motorcycles should be happening here in Kenya,” said Ruto.
On Saturday, the President had a quiet day where he hosted Budapest World Athletics gold medalists Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto said in 2024, the government will support a residential camp for the Kenyan team that will represent the country in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"Winning medals starts with meticulous, intense and quality preparations. For the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, we will support a three-month residential camp for the Kenyan team," he said.