Ruto preaches peace as he vouches for housing levy

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto took a reconciliatory tone on Wednesday, during the 20th National Prayer Breakfast, at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

As has been the case for the past 20 years since the event was initiated by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, political leaders dominated affairs.

Quoting Colossians 3:13, president Ruto insisted on the need to bear with each other, on the backdrop of the hotly contested August, 2022 presidential election.

"Colossians 3:13 reminds us to bear with each other and forgive one another and without this understanding, we end up fighting each other instead of for each other, we end up divided when we should be united," said the president.

His sentiments were echoed by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua said he was surprised by Ruto's move to forgive some of the people he said were against his presidential bid.

Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta backed Azimio leader Raila Odinga's presidential bid, instead of that of Ruto who was his deputy by then.

Upon assuming office, Ruto appointed him Kenya's peace envoy in the Great Lakes region.

"The President shocked us when he forgave his tormentors, made Uhuru his first appointment," said Gachagua.

On the affordable housing front, president Ruto maintained that the 3 per cent housing levy is key in pushing the agenda foward.

"If we feel the pain of the 3%, it is because we are alive. If we feel the pain of the millions of Kenyans who have no jobs and the pain of the 7 million Kenyans who live in indignity in slums, then we are human beings."

The proposal contained in the finance bill, 2023 has encountered opposition from majority of Kenyans.