NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 14 — President William Ruto has cautioned the media against balkanizing the country by projecting partisan divisions in development.
Speaking in Bondo on Saturday where his main political challenger Raila Odinga comes from, President Ruto said every Kenyan is free to traverse any part of the country unrestrained.
“Do not be the people who will divide our country and our people based on ethnicity and tribe,” he cautioned.
“Kenyans made a strong statement when they voted on August 9 last year. They removed all political and tribal barriers in this country,” President Ruto noted.
He stressed that: “Our media, please let us be careful and do only that which is good for our country.”
The Head of State further urged the media to be careful with the choice of words such as “strongholds” and “bedrooms” saying there is no part of Kenya that belongs to any individual or community.
“No part of the Republic of Kenya belongs to this person or that community. I want to ask the media to be responsible on what they do and say and the use of strongholds, bedrooms corners and places.”
He particularly took issue with news reporting that he had “stormed” Odinga’s stronghold.
“We are a united Kenya and all leaders must eliminate any barrier and any roadblock to any Kenyan exercising their right to be in any part of the country and all of us must be united in that manner,” President Ruto said.
Development tour
The President was on a two-day tour of the Nyanza region where he launched development projects in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties.
On Saturday, Ruto commissioned a blue economy research hub at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Siaya County.
The Head of State who kicked of his two-day official visit of Nyanza region on Friday was received by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Senator Oburu Odinga among other leaders.
President Ruto was expected to wind up his visit in the region with the launch of an affordable housing project in Kisumu County later on Saturday.
Media describes Nyanza region as Azimio La Umoja leader Odinga’s stronghold while Rift Valley is considered President Ruto’s bedrock.
The notion is mostly based on voting patterns and the number of votes that each candidate gets from these regions.
President Ruto spoke during ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo’s homecoming ceremony.
