President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Oburu Oginga are currently chairing a Broad-Based Coalition leaders’ meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The meeting brings together 250 members of the National Assembly, 46 Senators, 20 governors, 20 deputy governors and Cabinet Secretaries.
Among them are Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, among others.
The President said the Broad-Based Government is committed to uniting Kenyans, accelerating the country’s development agenda and addressing the immediate needs of the people.
President Ruto noted that despite ODM and the United Democratic Alliance, UDA, being political competitors, they came together for the sake of the country.
He explained that political competition should never be a reason to divide the country.
“Yes we must have different points of view but bottom line; we belong to one nation. If Kenya succeeds we succeed irrespective of our political sides. If Kenya does not succeed it doesn’t succeed for all of us,” he said.
The Head of State commended members of the Broad-Based Coalition for putting the interests of the nation and the people above their personal interests.
The President explained that the well-being of the Kenyan people and the destiny of the country lie in the decisions made by leaders.
He said that, thanks to the difficult decisions they had to make, the Broad-Based Government has a track record second to none.
“It is not necessary to be popular all the time,” he said.
He noted that there has been an acceleration in the delivery of the country’s development agenda ever since ODM joined the government.
As the Government heads towards the elections, the President noted that the Broad-Based Government will face Kenyans and present its scorecard.
The President pointed out that UDA and ODM are the two largest political formations in the country.
He noted that the opposition is not a suitable alternative for Kenya’s future because it has no agenda for the country.
Beyond the elections, he explained that the Government is spearheading a people-centred national conversation on the future development of the country that will be launched on Wednesday.
The President reiterated that the Broad-Based Government is the team that speaks about inclusivity, measured not by rhetoric and slogans.
“For a very long time politics have been about division and convenience. This time round no region will be left behind,” he said.
The President said the Government has put in place robust measures to address the cost of living, which is the single most important issue every Kenyan wants to know will be sorted, the issue of the cost of living.
Prof Kindiki commended the teamwork displayed by the Broad-Based Government, saying it has helped fast-track the country’s development agenda.
Mr Oburu noted that ODM is a strong national political party that has been in existence for over 20 years, making it one of the longest-serving parties.
He explained that ODM, as a party, believes in the stability and progress of the country.
He said ODM is part and parcel of the Broad-Based Government, not an outsider, and will take responsibility for the success and failure of the Government.
“We are now tied together like the umbilical cord. We are participating in what the government is doing,” he said.
Governor Susan Kihika called on Kenyans not to allow competitive elective politics to reverse the development and unity gains made in the country.
