Ruto meets AIPCA bishops as he continues to lay ground for talks

President William Ruto's engagement with religious leaders continued on Saturday as he hosted bishops from the African Independent Pentecostal Church Africa (AIPCA).

It follows a similar one with those from the Catholic Church Friday.

The meeting between the head of state and the group led by presiding Archbishop Samson Muthuri took place at the State House.

A total of 96 bishops from various parts of the country attended.

Ruto is engaging the clerics to gather their support ahead of the commencement of the multi-sectoral talks to try and address l thorny issues in the recently withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024.

The leaders, Ruto said, committed to participating in the talks.

He also emphasised that his administration has deliberate programmes and policies to create job and income opportunities for the youth.

These include the Affordable Housing Programme, digital jobs, labour migration and industrialisation through county aggregation and industrial parks and special economic zones.

"The proposed youth and multi-sectoral forums will give the youth and other stakeholders a platform to discuss these and other national economic challenges that face our country," he said.

Ruto was forced to withdraw the Bill after widespread protests from Kenyans who termed it oppressive.

He has proposed that the talks to chart the way forward on matters relating to the content of the Bill be held within the next 14 days.

This, he added, will also include the auxiliary issues raised in recent days on the need for austerity measures and strengthening our fight against corruption.

"There is a need for us as a nation to pick up from here and go into the future and because we have gotten rid of the Finance bill, it is necessary for us a nation going forward to have a conversation on how to manage the affairs of the country together, our debt situation and the budget deficit that exist," he said.