Deputy President William Samoei Ruto dismissed his earlier call for constitutional reforms calling it idle talk.The DP said leaders politicking on the referendum issue had forgotten about their service to the people.
Speaking during commissioning of the Terem-Chwele-Nalondo water project in Terem, Mount Elgon, Ruto said some leaders are more focused on changing the constitution than delivering their election manifestos. He said elected leaders owe the public efficient service delivery and a proper development agenda.
“We need to focus on service delivery to the people. This ongoing rhetoric is idle talk and it should not be allowed to continue. The public wants improved services, the people chose who they thought were best placed to lead them. We now owe them by delivering on our manifesto and not engaging in idle talk,” he said.
The DP had earlier made an about turn on his opposition for a referendum to change the 2010 constitution.Ruto who maintained the push was motivated by selfish interest now wanted the question and date for the referendum set.
The Deputy President said that those who lose this time around must accept defeat.
He added that he will support the agenda if it will ease the burden for Kenyans. Separately, President Uhuru Kenyatta said leaders should focus on development instead of being preoccupied with succession politics and 2022 elections.
Ruto cares less about how far and deep Uhuru sinks. With Raila reaching his sell-by-date peak, Ruto knows he only needs Uhuru to smoothen his way to power. His clever and cunning allies know this as well.
With a weakened opposition that relied heavily on Raila’s machismo and charisma, Ruto and his allies know that the path to power is clear. Ruto knows very well that his main weakness has always been having enough money and wealth to launch a formidable campaign for the presidency.
During Uhuru’s first term, the DP and his allies partly addressed this. From the look of things, he is already preparing a smart path to the presidency.