By Ebi Kesiena
President William Ruto is calling on leaders across the political spectrum to rally behind ongoing efforts to unite Kenyans, emphasizing that national unity and progress must take precedence over personal and political ambitions.
In a passionate appeal, Ruto urged those who have yet to support the broad-based government to do so in the spirit of patriotism.
He stressed that this is a critical moment for the country, where unity and transformation are far more important than selfish interests or political divisions.
“This is not the time for disunity or self-interest,” Ruto declared. “We must all come together, work towards transformation, progress, and unity to lift our nation out of poverty.”
During the second day of his three-day development tour of Kisii and Nyamira counties, Ruto condemned tribal and sectoral politics as outdated and counterproductive. He was joined by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, and several MPs and MCAs.
In Nyaribari Chache Constituency, Ruto broke ground on the Sh3 billion Kisii County Cancer Treatment Centre, a 76-bed facility that will provide comprehensive cancer care, including awareness, prevention, screening, early detection, and advanced treatment options like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
The President underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that serious ailments like cancer do not impoverish Kenyans, citing the newly established Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund under the Universal Health Coverage program.
Additionally, Ruto commissioned several key health facilities, including the Outpatient, Surgical, and Mother and Child units at Keroka Level IV Hospital in Nyamira, and launched the Nyaribari Masaba Affordable Housing Project.
He emphasized that the Affordable Housing Programme is particularly crucial for the Gusii region, where severe land fragmentation has diminished agricultural productivity.
Ruto also announced that the government has allocated Sh2 billion to connect 30,000 households in the county to the power grid, and an additional Sh4.5 billion will be spent on building roads to improve the region’s transport infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
Meanwhile, Vice President Gachagua echoed the President’s call for unity, expressing full support for the recently appointed Cabinet Secretaries, including those from the ODM party.
“Kenya belongs to all of us, and we will support the President in his mission to unite the country,” Gachagua said.
