Ruto: No Govt Officials Who Took Political Sides In 2022 Elections

President-elect William Ruto has promised to create professionalism in the public service, urging government officers who were forced to take political sides in the just-concluded elections to back away.

Speaking at his Karen residence on Wednesday, August 17, Ruto noted that public servants will be mandated to serve all Kenyans equally under his administration.

"I want to commit that public service will be professional and serve Kenyans equally. I am asking all public servants who have been forced to take political positions in the just concluded election to step back," he noted.

DP William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua holding their certificate after being declared president and deputy-president elect on August 15, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO

"Public service will be a very important tool in the delivery of govt programs and services. I expect the public service to serve Kenyans equally without any preference for communities and political affiliations."

His administration also promised to create an avenue that will make it possible for Cabinet Secretaries to be questioned in the National Assembly in order for them to be accountable.

"We are going to amend standing orders to make it possible for cabinet secretaries to answer questions on the floor of Parliament. It is not enough for them to go to parliamentary committees," president-elect Ruto stated.

He also promised Kenyans that they will use their phones as per the norm and security agents in the country will not be used to spy on the public by way of tapping into their phones or stalking their social media accounts.

Ruto vowed that his administration will steer clear of blackmail and intimidating Kenyans, no matter which political affiliations they believe in. Simply put, Kenyans will be able to talk to each other without having to worry about being gagged over their ideologies.

"Every Kenyan can go back to their phones and use their normal phones because blackmail, intimidation and threats have come to a stop. Everyone can speak to anyone and nobody is going to victimize them. We live in a democratic country and that is how it should be," Ruto stated.

"I want to promise that our administration will have nothing to do with the blackmail we have seen and the fear that has been sold around the country that you can't talk to this or that person because of your political affiliations."

He challenged his incoming administration to get down to business, adding that there is no luxury of time to waste. He turned to the elected leaders under the Kenya Kwanza movement to deliver on the manifestos they had promised to Kenyans during the campaign period.

"All those elected under Kenya Kwanza, I want to tell you that the leadership we have won bestows on our authority. But this comes with a lot of responsibilities and the people of Kenya expect us to be accountable.

"As we celebrate this moment, we must also ensure we deliver on our promises and commitments. The expectations of people are huge and we don't have time to waste. We need all hands on deck. After going through all the processes, we will soon settle on working," he noted.

On the incoming Supreme Court petitions seeking to invalidate Ruto's election, the president-elect said they are ready for engagements on the same.

"If there will be court processes, we will engage in those because we are democrats and we believe in the rule of law," he stated.

During the same time, he announced that 10 newly elected independent Members of Parliament (MP) have joined his Kenya Kwanza coalition.