President William Ruto Sunday maintained a studious silence on the ongoing impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Instead, he asked Kenyans to pray for him as he oversees transformational programmes – Social Health Authority and Affordable Housing programmes.
Ruto said he ‘negotiated’ to skip the ACK church meeting in Embu to attend the 30th anniversary of the AIC Milimani Church.
“When the senior pastor told me they had been sent an invitation for this celebration, I told him I was going to struggle because it was not in my diary,” Ruto said.
“My diary was committed somewhere else. I have had to negotiate with people in other places because I didn’t want to miss this celebration. There is truly something to celebrate about Milimani.”
The President called off his trip to Embu in what insiders say was to avoid Gachagua.
The DP, who attended the service, blamed his boss for engineering his impeachment.
Gachagua faces the Senate this week after MPs overwhelmingly voted to impeach him last week.
“To the issue that this motion cannot find its way to the National Assembly without the President’s nod, that is true, it can’t. It has the President’s nod,” Gachagua said.
The DP made the remarks during a tell-all press briefing at his Karen residence last Monday.
However, Ruto has maintained a steady silence on the matter even as his close troops in Parliament vote for – and push for the removal of the country’s second in command.
At Milimani Church, the President defended the new health insurance and affordable housing programmes which he said are transforming the country.
“I want to thank faith-based institutions that run hospitals for partnering with us. Today, we have registered close to 12.8 million people under the new UHC programme,” he said.
Ruto said the new health scheme has catered for all Kenyans.
“For the first time, every Kenyan will have health insurance. It Is because that is what the bible says. That we lift those at the bottom,” he said.
Kenyans seeking health services have lamented being forced to pay for services out of their pocket following delayed transition into the new health insurance programme.
Ruto said the Affordable Housing programme has transformed informal settlements and created jobs.
“Implementing some of the transformational programmes to change our nation requires prayers and commitment but I want to promise you that by God’s grace, we are going to change this nation,” he said.
“Through the housing programme, the faces of Mukuru and Kibera slums have changed. I’m very happy with how Mukuru looks like now. I’m happy with what Kibera is looking like. Places where there were no toilets, roads, or water.”
“Today, somebody living in Mukuru for the first time can now not rent but own a house by paying Sh3,000. That is my mission. To make sure we create a nation of equals. Making sure we move together as a nation,” Ruto said.
The head of state said Kenya is a blessed country and called on all citizens to be proud because of the peace and transformation they are enjoying.
“Sometimes we underestimate what Kenya is. Kenya is a great nation, and we should be proud of this nation that God has given to us. Just two days ago, the prime minister of Haiti was here with gratitude for what our policemen are doing thousands of kilometres away,” he said.