• Congregants indicated they support efforts to start afresh and build a country to make Kenyans proud.
• Ruto and Gachagua warned government officials licensing bars selling ‘poison’ to youth, saying their time was up.
Image: SCREENGRAB
President William Ruto on Sunday called his move to send his Cabinet packing a fresh start to get the country on the right track.
The President, who was attending a church service at AIPCA Ndogino in Ndaragwa, Nyandarua county, asked for prayers as he crafts a new team to deliver the Kenyan dream.
He said he is looking for competent people who will help in making his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) a reality.
“I have opened a new chapter, pray for me to get the people who will help in the transformation agenda,” Ruto told worshippers.
“Pray for me to get the right workers who will help us realise my promises to you.”
The President was accompanied by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
On Thursday, the head of state announced plans to establish a broad-based government dedicated to accelerating and the implementation of radical programmes to address the nation’s burdens.
The head of state said he will engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations in coming with the new team.
He promised once reconstituted, the Cabinet would reflect the face of Kenya as part of a radical response to weeks of anti-government protests.
“You agree that I bring inclusive government that will bring all Kenyans together?” Ruto asked as the congregants responded in the affirmative.
While welcoming Ruto’s inclusive government, DP Gachagua urged the President to avoid leaders “who will vomit on Kenyans”.
He said only humble leaders who respect the citizens should be allowed in the yet-to-be-reconstituted Cabinet, except for Musalia Mudavadi.
“I support you 100 per cent as you look for the new team. You have a good chance to get the right people who respect the people and who wants the country’s prosperity,” Gachagua told Ruto.
“If you don’t get good servants, you will land in problems.”
The President also assured Kenyans that the government is steady, despite the anti-government protests.
He expressed confidence in surmounting the challenges posed by the youth-led protests and getting the country back on track.
“Just like giving birth is not easy, it is the same with our transformation agenda but soon Kenya will be happy afterward,” he said.
The two leaders also put on notice government officials arbitrarily licensing bars to sell ‘poison’ to youths and said their days are numbered.
Ruto, responding to his deputy’s call to stop government officials sabotaging the war on illicit brews, said the government should take action against any official abetting sale of liquor.
“I have done changes at the police, no officer will allow illicit brews to kill the youths for the benefit of few individuals,” the President said.
“The entire provincial administration from the chief down must be on alert, we will not allow licensing of bars all over.”
Earlier, the DP had complained of the return of the illicit brews with the support of some senior officials in government.
“Mr President, there is a return of illicit brew in this area. One month ago a decision was made – without my knowledge and your knowledge – to licence all companies that were selling poison to our youths,” Gachagua said.
“It is very immoral that people can sit in government to allow return of poison to kill our youths. Mr President, don’t allow people in your government to allow the return of illicit brew to taint your administration.”
The leaders were accompanied by Nyandarua Governor Moses Badilisha, Nyandarua Senator John Mathu, MPs George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), Mukunji Gitonga (Manyatta), Daniel Kili (Igembe Central), Antony Wainaina (Kieni) and Kanini Kega (EALA).