Deputy President William Ruto on Friday began a five-day tour of the Coastal region to urge eligible citizens to register as voters while at the same time drumming support for re-election of the Jubilee government in the upcoming polls.
Ruto visited Kilifi county where he urged locals not to be hoodwinked to support Opposition parties as they have no development agenda for the country. He said politics of lies, division, propaganda and tribalism are the core agenda of the Opposition and asked voters to reject them because they have no capacity and willingness to solve the challenges facing the region.
Speaking at Watamu grounds in Kilifi county where he addressed a public rally, Ruto said Opposition leaders have failed to question how billions of shillings released to county governments allied to them since 2013, have been used. He said the Constitution was clear on the roles of National and County governments, but they have turned a blind eye to the failures of the devolved units they control by engaging in propaganda against the National government to paint it as corrupt.
“Although the National government has done its bit in providing service to all regions, Cord leaders have failed to question misuse and diversion of funds from counties ‘control’ s part of its misinformation,” he said.
“It is as if the billions we send to counties should not be used to serve the people. All they keep complaining about is that the National government must do everything. What of the County governments?”
The DP defended the Jubilee administration’s development record saying it has fulfilled its pre-election pledges. “Our development track record for this region speaks for itself. We are tarmacking 250-kilometre of roads in this county, connected 102,000 residents to power up from 48,000 in 2013, upgraded two referral hospital, started Ronald Ngala Utalii College, solving land problems among other projects,” said Ruto.
He urged youths in the area to register in large numbers so as to participate in electing progressive leaders who have the commitment to addressing challenges facing them and the country at large
. He also addressed public rallies in Gede, Tezo, Kilifi, Vipingo, Kikambala and Mtwapa grounds. The Deputy President was accompanied by MPs Gideon Mungaro (Kilifi North), Mustapha Iddi (Kilifi South), Zeinab Chidzuga (Women’s Representative, Kwale), Emma Mbura (Nominated), Harry Kombe (Magharini) and Peter Shehe (Ganze).