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Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto has defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from critics, saying the Opposition must put their house in order if they want to earn the confidence of Kenyans.

Speaking in Nanyuki Town after attending a church service at the Nanyuki PCEA Church on Sunday the Deputy President said the IEBC does not elect leaders but the people of Kenya do.

He said it was wrong for the Opposition to blame their failures on the IEBC.

“The IEBC does not vote. It is the Kenyan electorate that votes to elect leaders.

“So anyone who is aspiring to be elected to any leadership position in the country should demonstrate that by work and service to the people and not blame commission,” he said.

Mr Ruto said it was unfortunate that some leaders in the Opposition were threatening to boycott the 2017 elections and hold demonstrations if their demands about changes at the IEBC are not met, saying they would not succeed in their machinations.

“Let me tell them that the 2017 elections will not be won by demonstrations and boycotts but by the work they will have put into service for the people,” he said.

DELIVER ELECTION PLEDGES

Mr Ruto at the same time emphasized that the government was on course in delivering its election pledges and asked Kenyans to ignore those bent on derailing the government’s development agenda.

The DP made it clear that no one would stop the government from achieving what they pledged in the Jubilee manifesto, noting that it was firmly on course and will grow the economy and improve education, health, agriculture and security, among other development programmes.

“We are firmly on course, we know why we were elected and we are following the script, no amount of noise will distract us from our goals,” said DP Ruto.

He asked elected leaders in Jubilee to work as a team, noting that any discordant voices amongst them would play to the hands of the Opposition.

“We must work as a team to deliver on our election promises. Differences in opinion should not be let to derail our development programmes,” he added.

He assured the church that the government would work with it in the development of the country.

CONMEN ON PULPIT

He, however, cautioned the clergy against allowing conmen to the pulpit, saying such people gave the church a bad name.

On security, the DP said the government was recruiting more security officers and equipping all security agencies with modern facilities to make them more effective.

“I would, however, urge the farmers, pastoralists and ranchers in this county to find an acceptable way of sharing the available pasture to reduce conflicts,” he said.

Leaders present appealed to the government to extend the security operation in Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot and Samburu counties to Laikipia County, noting that criminals running away from the current operation in those counties were finding a safe haven in Laikipia.

Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura said those trying to drive a wedge between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Deputy President were wasting their time as the Presidency was intact and would not be shaken by mere rhetoric.

Mr Ruto announced that the Nanyuki and Nyahururu hospitals will be upgraded to Level Five and would receive Sh445 million and Sh380 million respectively for the modernization programme.



Credit: Daily Nation