President Ruto: Let’s Shun Politics of Ethnicity

President William Ruto on Saturday led the country in marking this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations with a strong call for unity and patriotism among Kenyans.

Speaking in Bungoma County, which hosted the 61st Madaraka Day, the President said Kenya will never go back to the politics of ethnicity, personalities, and exclusion.

Ruto reiterated that Kenya was beyond the politics of personalities and ethnic balkanization, stating that Kenyans voted wisely during the 2022 general elections.

“I urge all Kenyans to shun ethnic politics. All leaders must unite to seek elective posts based on the agenda of race or ethnic belonging,” said Ruto.

He also sent a stern warning to government officials on the misuse of public resources. He asked those who have grabbed public land in Bungoma to surrender it to pave the way for the expansion of Masinde Muliro Stadium, the airport, and other development projects.

President Ruto also used the occasion to enumerate his administration’s achievements in the agricultural sector and promise more development projects across the country. He noted that investments in agriculture remain key to the expansion of the most important value chain in our economy and to ensuring that there is enough food to feed citizens.

To enhance social inclusion and a robust, thriving economy, the President said the government has deployed an agriculture-led Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

He said local farmers have defied systemic and structural limitations to contribute to household and national food security requirements and to propel the economy.

As part of efforts to reform the sugar sector, President Ruto said the government has written off KSh110 billion worth of sugar factory debts accumulated over 40 years.

The President said reforms have been carried out in the coffee and tea sectors, among others, to ensure that farmers get good returns on their investments and to improve the country’s economy.

He said the government will continue to champion afforestation and the restoration of degraded landscapes, and mobilize Kenyans to plant trees to restore the environment.

To control livestock diseases and pests, President Ruto said the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) produced 35 million doses of various livestock vaccines in 2023.

To enhance access to credit for farmers, the President announced that KSh1 billion has been allocated to the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) in the next financial year.