NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 24 – The government will not waver in its determination to implement projects that will transform Kenya, President William Ruto has said.
The President said no amount of criticism will stop him from implementing initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans.
Speaking at the Anglican Church of Kenya Emmanuel Church, Bahati, in Nairobi, President Ruto said his focus remains the transformation of the country.
“I have no problem being called names so long as I am focused on the destiny of this country,” he said.
He added: “I didn’t become President just for the sake of the title. I became President to change Kenya.”
The Head of State singled out the Affordable Housing Programme as one of the initiatives that will create jobs for young people and ensure decent homes for Kenyans, especially those living in slums.
He said 140,000 people have got jobs on the various affordable housing construction sites across the country.
President Ruto said his plan is for Kenya to have one million new home owners in the next five years.
Before the end of the year, the President announced, at least 30,000 houses will be under construction in Nairobi County, with the majority of the units in Makadara Constituency.
The Head of State explained that tenants in National Government or county houses wont be evicted to pave way for the construction of affordable houses.
Instead, the affected tenants will be moved and paid the equivalent of two years’ rent so that their lives or those of their children are not disrupted.
President Ruto urged leaders to put aside their political differences and take a common stand on matters of development.
He said this is an opportunity for leaders to work together in addressing the challenges facing Kenyans.
On education, the President regretted that many children were out of school in Nairobi County because facilities are inadequate.
He said the government has allocated KSh1 billion for the construction of 1,000 classrooms in Nairobi County.
“We have a shortage of 3,500 classrooms in Nairobi County. The 1,000 classrooms we are building should be completed by June this year,” he said.
An extra KSh1 billion to build another 1,000 classrooms will be allocated in next year’s budget, the President announced.
On fresh produce markets, President Ruto said 20 will be built in Nairobi County to ensure that mama mboga, among other small-scale traders, have a clean environment to trade and do business.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the county will work closely with the National Government to ensure successful implementation of the affordable housing project.
On the doctors’ strike, the governor said medics in Nairobi have no business being on strike because the issues they are raising have nothing to do with the county.
“Those who won’t report on duty on Monday as directed will be severely disciplined,” he said.
Makadara MP George Aladwa commended President Ruto for supporting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
“As ODM, we are grateful for the support you are giving to our party leader ahead of the AUC chairmanship election,” said Mr Aladwa.
ACK Nairobi Diocese Bishop Joel Waweru asked Kenyans to respect elected leaders. He said the problem facing Kenya was “rottenness” and not taxation.
