Ruto sounds 'Mambo ni Matatu' warning to bandits

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto on Thursday maintained his tough stand against banditry perpetrated by 'people who believe in stealing livestock for a living,' in the process causing deaths and destructions.

Ruto, speaking in Turkana county during the Turkana Cultural and Tourism Festival (Tobong’u Lore) in Lodwar town, repeated his 'Mambo ni Matatu' threat issued against sugar cartels in September.

The Head of State said bandits flushed out of their hideouts in counties such as West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet by security officers are now running up and down, trying to make several parts of Turkana their hideout.

He warned that they have to go 'to jail, leave the country or go to heaven,' if they can't change.

“We cannot allow a few people to cause insecurity and derail our development agenda,” he stated.

Concerning tourism, the president said the government is putting in place a solid institutional framework that will protect and promote the country’s rich and diverse traditions.

He said cultural assets will be instrumental in enhancing cohesion and stimulating economic growth.

“Our plan identifies the creative economy as well as culture and heritage to be highly promising drivers of transformation and employment creation,” he said.

To achieve this, president Ruto said, the government is implementing robust legislative bills including the culture bill that was approved by the Cabinet last week.

“Others like the creative economy framework, National Kiswahili Council of Kenya Bill, the Kenya Film Bill, the National Heritage and Museums Bill, are currently being developed,” he said.

Ruto added that the government will spend Sh800 million to enhance electricity connectivity in Turkana County, to spur economic growth.