DP Ruto pledges peaceful polls

The government will use all mechanisms available to ensure peace prevails during the upcoming General Election, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

DP Ruto was addressing a congregation at African Inland Church (AIC) in Kericho on Sunday, February 26 where he noted that peace is a paramount responsibility of the government.

The DP said that a mechanism has already being put in place to deal with law offenders and those inciting to violence.

“We will ensure the elections are peaceful and there are no two ways about it,” reiterated the deputy president.

He called on aspirants for various posts in the August polls to ensure the process will be peaceful.

“Everyone of us, every leader and aspirants must make sure it is our responsibility and business to ensure their followers, supporters, party members act in a manner to ensure there’s peace in our country. Everything else will be in place when we ensure there’s a peaceful contest in the country,” said Ruto.

The DP urged aspirants to concentrate on selling their agenda to wananchi as opposed to hurling insults at their opponents.

“Stop inciting supporters to cause chaos such as pelting others with stones. These are things that do not have a place in the 21^st century. Let the voters listen to all you have to tell them and give them a free hand to elect the right leaders who will do things in a bid to transform their lives,” the DP told the aspirants.

He assured Jubilee Party supporters in the region that the party does not have preferred candidates saying: “whoever you (voters) will pick during the primaries, we will stand with them.”

The DP said that Jubilee Party would approach voters with its development scorecard for its first term in office, adding that he is satisfied his party’s record is visible.

“We are ready to face the election with a better record compared to the opposition because we know we have delivered with infrastructure, education system, health, on devolution and on many other areas that we have signed a contract with the people of Kenya” Ruto said.

Ruto commended the church for its role in supplementing of government efforts in development and peace building.

Speaking at the same function, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot castigated KANU’s Gideon Moi for his controversial remarks that he would support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid but not his Deputy William Ruto.

Cheruiyot challenged the KANU leader to lay bare his differences with the deputy president, arguing that the president and his deputy are inseparable.

“KANU leaders must get serious and tell us their position whether they are with us or not. Because it appears they are playing games,” said Cheruiyot.

Deputy President William Ruto was flanked by Kericho leaders including; Governor Paul Chepkwony, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and MPs Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi), Leonard Sang (Bureti), Joseph Limo (Kipkelion East), Jackosn Rop (Kipkelion West), Justice Kemei (Soin/Sigowet) and Erick Keter (Belgut) and former Roads Minister Franklin Bett.