Presiden-elect Ruto: This will be my first assignment immediately after being sworn-in

Kenya’s President-elect William Ruto has revealed his first order of business when he is worn in as the 5th president of the East African nation.

Ruto says his first assignment after the  Tuesday searing-in ceremony will be to put in place measures that will help reduce the cost of living.

Speaking in Maua on Sunday, Ruto, who is also the currrent deputy president, said he had had meetings with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Treasury and Ministry of Agriculture officials on how to address the matter which will involve reducing the prices of farm inputs including fertiliser.

He promised that new farm gate prices for maize and wheat will be announced as well as those of maize flour.

He spoke  during a thanksgiving service on Sunday, saying Kenya was in a “deep economic hole”  and noted that the only way to get out of it was through reduced borrowing practices.

Save money

“When you find yourself in a hole the logical thing is to stop digging so I asked them whether we could stop. They told me we have to continue digging but I assure Kenyans that we will get out of it,” he said.

He said his administration will put into place laws that will encourage Kenyans to save money which the government would borrow to carry out development projects.

“We have to stop borrowing but Kenyans must also pay taxes and save. We have had a conversation with KRA and we asked them not to punish taxpayers but collect taxes without threats and intimidation because this is the only way we are going to grow our economy,” Dr Ruto said.