Nitawaweka laini! Ruto tells leaders to respect the church

President William Ruto has cautioned leaders in the Kenya Kwanza government of exchanging bitter words before the church.

Speaking on Sunday, Ruto said at times he finds it a challenge to 'control' what leaders in his government speak.

"Najua ni wengi wangependa kuongea hapa. lakini mnajua hapo mebeleni Kanisa walituambia tunakuja na kelele mingi na wanasiasa tunavuruga," he said.

This loosely translates to: I know many would have loved to speak here. But earlier the church told us that we come with a lot of noise and as politicians we bring confrontations.

However, the President said that he is trying to tame the leaders

" Watu wakanisa mtaniruhusu ni jaribu kunyorosha hii watu wangu  wapate nidhamu kama watu wa kanisa. Tunajifunza kutoka kwa watu wakanisa.Nikona kazi ngumu lakini nitajaribu kuwaweka laini

This loosely translates to: People of the church you will allow me to try to tame my people they get manners like you. We will learn from you. I have a hard task but I will try to streamline them

The Head of State urged the political leaders to respect the church and stop politicking at the pulpit.

The President revealed that in the morning before the church service, he sat with the leaders and agreed on how they should behave when they are at the pulpit in churches.

" It is true as politicians we sometimes forget we are at the pulpit and start politicking. But we have agreed that moving forward we will respect the church and avoid some utterances," Ruto added.

His remarks came after a rift emerged among his allies on Saturday over the implementation of key projects in the Rift Valley.

Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on Friday exchanged bitter words over roads contracts.

Murkomen told off Cherargei over the senator's earlier remarks that a contractor from his local community should be awarded a roads tender in the county.

Speaking in the local Kalenjn dialect, the CS strongly criticised Cherargei for allegedly opposing one of the contractors chosen to pave a road simply because he was not a Kalenjin.

The furious CS told the senator that at least President William Ruto was not using 'his brain'.

“Cherargei, I want to teach you something. If the President was using a brain like yours, we would not be having the country now. I’m telling you the truth,” Murkomen said.

The CS said the government was awarding contracts fairly without room for tribalism.

“When I came here, I told you that Mosoriot town has a university, college and others and needs to be built and we have announced the tender and I don’t know who will get it, I’ve just heard it from Cherargei because I don’t follow tendering process, its Cherargei.”

Moments before Murkomen addressed the mourners, Cherargei advocated for the allocation of a road project to a local contractor, emphasising that the move would benefit the residents.

"Thank you, CS, for coming. You know few people tell you the truth. Work in Nandi is not good. Thank you, Waziri, for the road that is being undertaken in Mosorit," Cherargei stated in the Kalenjin dialect.

"I hear that some people are saying that they want to bring people from other communities to be contractors. Give our children the priority of being contractors because if we don't teach our children to be strong contractors, we won't be competitive.''

The remarks did not sit well with the CS who fired back when he rose to speak, warning that Cherargei's philosphy was regessive and could be detrimental to the community in the long run.

According to the CS, any Kenyan has the right to work in any part of the country, provided they effectively fulfil their assigned responsibilities.

"What about our people whom we have given big contracts owing billions and are in Central and Mombasa? Do you want them to be chased to come home? As your teacher, I have brains and a plan," the CS responded.

The two leaders were speaking during the burial of the son of Chesumei MP Paul Biego Polo.