You won’t hold us at ransom, Ruto warns Azimio as DP Gachagua, MPs call for Odinga to be jailed

President William Ruto and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki address residents of Mutindwa in Maara, Tharaka Nithi County | PHOTO-Courtesy

By Gerald Kibaki

President William Ruto says he will not allow the Azimio leader Raila Odinga to hold the Country at ransom through violence, mayhem, and chaos. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a section of lawmakers from Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu have also called for the arrest of Raila Odinga.

The leaders who spoke at Chogorai town during the launch of the Chogoria water project blamed Raila, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the Azimio brigade for alleged sabotage to the Kenyan economy.

“We will not allow our handshake brothers to hold our Country ransom and to take our Country hostage by causing violence, mayhem, and anarchy so that they can stop us from educating our children and from supporting our farmers to produce food to get rid of the shame of hunger and our plan for youth employment through the programs we have. They will not succeed” Ruto said

President Ruto said the housing program will employ close to 10,000 youths in the County, adding that there were only two options to make Kenya better without incurring further debt or collecting more tax.

“ We have nowhere to borrow from right now because our debt is all over. We have declared we must all pay tax starting with me. How will paying youths to destroy property, cause chaos and damage items bring down the cost of living? Theirs is total stupidity. They aim to destroy our Country but let me assure you, he never succeeded in the past, he will never succeed now. The hardships of the economy are because they took a loan of almost five trillion,” Ruto said.

Gachagua said Kenyan people voted against Uhuru’s project whose history manifests itself every five years since 1982 by causing bloodshed and destruction so that he is within the government of the day by force.

“Uhuru and Raila paid the goons to force you to accept them in your government. Mt Kenya people do not know anything concerning bloodshed. We invest and protect our wealth. This is why we feel so bad when we see Peter Munya (former Agriculture CS) sent here by Raila to cause mayhem,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua added that area leaders have convened a meeting aimed at disciplining Munya, former Laikipia governor Nderitu Murithi, Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, Azimio deputy leader Martha Karua and Jeremiah Kioni.

“You took an oath to protect life and property and the constitution of Kenya. Who is this Raial Odinag? I want to commend our police officers, they should not be blamed at all. Their protests turned chaotic, unmanageable, and killings when they swiftly swang into action. I ask that all those involved be arrested, taken to court, and jailed. As Mt Kenya region we are behind you 100 percent,” Gachagua said.

Gacghagua said the Kenyan economy was destroyed by the same people who are out to destroy the Country again through violence.

“You won the election fair and square, there is no crisis in Keny, let the Press and other busybodies not create a situation that there is a problem,” he said.
Governor Muthomi Njuki said Raila should never have any handshake with Ruto.

“We have declared there will never be demonstrations in Tharaka Nithi and we banned someone who was sent by Munya to protests here,” he said.

However, Tharaka Nithi Woma Rep Susan Mwindu did not engage in politics of the day but lobbied for the establishment of a court, land registration offices, Kenya medical training Institute, and Huduma Center for Maara residents.

Munene said Uhuru and Raila thought Ruto’s administration will sink but to their surprise the reason they are now sponsoring demos for Ruto to fail.

Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, his counterparts MP Mohamed Ali (Nyali), Gitonga Murugara (Tharaka), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), and Patrick Munene have castigated the Wednesday demonstrations saying Kenya is not a recipe for chaos, destruction of property and killing of innocent people.

Aburi lauded President Ruto’s administration and urged Raila to shun protests as they were doing more harm to the nation than good.

“We fought Ruto with the Presidency, the police, and money but he won against all odds. My question to Raila is, If Ruto triumphed when lonely what about when he is in power? In 2027 whether you cry or whatever you will do, Ruto will be your President. There is no need for protests in Kenya, there is no need for Dialogue of handshake. Raila had a handshake with Founding President Jomo Kenyatta retired Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, and all the elections he has claimed elections were fraudulent. Meru’s have never gained anything from him,” Aburi said.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Menda Gataya cautions Azimio leaders against carrying out demonstrations in the County and lauds President Ruto for disbursing funds to counties.

“Protests have no economic value in this nation or the region but are damaging the good image we have had for years. Mt Kenya people are not known for chaos but for investing and amassing wealth. There is no way a government is built on the foundation of debts” Gataya added.

Gataya said senators and the people of Tharaka Nithi are fully behind the President and his Bottom Up agenda.