Ruto Pledges to be a President of All Kenyans After Swearing-in

President Ruto has pledged to work for all Kenyans irrespective of whom they voted for during the August 9th general election.

In his speech following his swearing-in as Kenya’s fifth president, Ruto said his administration will serve all Kenyans fairly without discrimination even as he extended an olive branch to his competitors in the just concluded election.

He particularly commended Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua for staging a vigorous campaign.

“Their participation enhanced competition and enriched public debate that underpins democratic choice. I assure them that their supporters will be my constituents. I will work with all Kenyans irrespective of who they voted for,” said Ruto.

“In this process, we have demonstrated the maturity of our democracy, the robustness of our institutions and the resilience of the Kenyan people.”

The new President described his swearing-in as a “moment like no other”, adding that “today, I want to thank God, because a village boy has become the president of Kenya.”

“By the grace of God we have got here and let me say that standing here is a testimony that there is a God in heaven and today I want to thank God because a village boy has become the president of Kenya, I want to thank my wife and family for always praying for me and my team,” said Ruto.

The 55-year-old went on to announce a series of measures to tackle the country’s economic woes and a number of reforms his administration seeks to introduce, including increasing the Judiciary’s budget allocation by Sh3 billion annually.

“To consolidate the place of the judiciary in our constitutional and democratic dispensation, my administration will respect judicial decisions while we cement the place of Kenya as a country anchored on democracy and the rule of law,” he stated.

“Our campaign for the financial independence of the judiciary has paid off with the implementation of the judiciary fund on July 1 this year. My administration will scale up the budgetary allocation to the judiciary by an additional Sh3 billion annually for the next five years.”

Ruto also promised to immediately appoint six Court of Appeal judges that his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta declined to appoint citing adverse reports against them from the intelligence service.

“To further demonstrate my commitment to the independence of the judiciary, this afternoon, I will appoint the six judges already nominated for appointment to the Court of Appeal which was done three years ago by the Judicial Service Commission,’’ he said.

In addition, Ruto will sign as Executive Order giving the National Police Service (NPS) financial autonomy with the Inspector General as the Accounting Officer.

“As I address you, I have instructed that the instruments conferring financial autonomy to the National Police Service by transferring their budget from the Office of the President and designating the Inspector General as the accounting officer be placed on my desk for signature this afternoon,” he added.

Financial independence of the police, Ruto said, will give impetus to the fight against graft and end the political weaponization of the criminal justice system.

“No public servant even chiefs and their assistants will be required to run political errands for any political party or formation,” he said.