Ruto: Issue-based politics, new economic model key to development – KBC

Deputy President William Ruto now says that the country needs to embrace politics of issues and a new economic model.

“Over the years, political positions have been catered for but this has not improved the lot of overwhelming majority of Kenyans. The solution is elsewhere: A new political conversation about ordinary people, not leaders and a new bottom-up economic model not trickle-down economics,” said DP Ruto.

The DP has on several occasions championed for the country to change its economic model. According to DP Ruto, majority of jobless Kenyans must be facilitated to contribute to the growth of the economy.

The DP said that the current economic model has excluded millions of Kenyans, half of our country’s workforce denying them an opportunity to realize their full potential.

“This model has failed to create enough jobs, expand opportunities and bring prosperity. Instead, it has fostered a hostile environment that has made it difficult for enterprise, trade creativity and initiative to thrive,” he said.

He said that from his past experience in Government building on the foundation that has been laid, it was now necessary to progress through ensuring a non-ethnic, non-regional and non-divisive political foundation in the country.

“We must engineer a fundamental paradigm shift from the perennial politics of personalities, positions, and power to a candid, open, and frank engagement with the people on the economy, their aspirations, and their future,” DP Ruto said.

“Many Kenyans imprisoned in ethnic political ghettos disguised as political parties and chaperoned by tribal kingpins are denied the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the political processes that make critical decisions about their future,” he added.

This comes after the Deputy President met eleven Mt Kenya region counties from April 30 to May 2.

In a statement, the team agreed on; the most important conversation is on the empowerment of small businesses, increasing farmers’ earnings, and creating an enabling environment that rewards hard work, nurtures creativity, and promotes initiative for all to flourish.

The leaders also fronted for an all-inclusive conversation takes root, we have agreed on a framework of engagement beginning at the grassroots with farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, cooperatives, other producer and business associations encompassing all the key agricultural value chains in particular tea, coffee, dairy, fresh produce, rice, and miraa.

They also agreed on bringing on board patriotic Kenyans of all shades – scholars, professionals, subject matter experts, business, and community leaders to facilitate this comprehensive, all-encompassing national engagement