President William Ruto has revealed the details of his meeting with his predecessor when he toured Wajir county for a series development tours.
The head of state has said he reached out to the former President Uhuru Kenyatta to close the ranks that have been soaring divisions within ethnic lines.
Speaking at a roadside rally, the president added that the Gatundu meeting was also part of the broad based arrangement with the former prime minister Raila Odinga and warned that he will not hesitate to weed out leaders preaching tribal politics in the government.
“Hakuna haja ya kuendesha mambo ya ubaguzi katika Kenya, hatutaki ukabila, hatutaki migawanyiko, chuki….tunataka tuungane tukuwe Kenya moja,” he said.
“Na ndio kwa sababu nimeongea na former Prime Minister Raila Odinga na nimeongea jana na mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta…tufunge ranks zetu zote…tuwe nchi moja, tutembee pamoja, tujenge nchi yetu pamoja.”
“Mnataka tuendelee na ubaguzi ama tuungane? Mnataka tuendelee na hii ukabila inatusumbua? Ndio nimesema hawa watu wote wa ukabila watatembea miguu, ama mnasemaje? Si hawa watu wakuendeleza ukabila tuwazamishe?” Ruto posed to those in attendance.
During his meeting with Uhuru on Monday, Ruto praised the former President’s exemplary statesmanship during the peaceful transition of power following the 2022 General Elections, as well as his ongoing commitment to national progress.
The two leaders also recognised the challenges posed by global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and volatile economic conditions.
They acknowledged Kenya’s progress in addressing these issues, citing milestones such as lower inflation, stabilised food prices, and a stronger Kenyan shilling.