Ruto: My Rags-to-Riches Story Inspires Bottom-Up Development
President William Ruto has stated that his “rags to riches” story demonstrates that people at the bottom of the social pyramid can also contribute to the development of a nation.
During a June visit to France, Ruto told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that his rise from a chicken vendor to head of state was instrumental in altering the perception that only a select few are qualified for top leadership positions.
He stated that he is aware of the significance of his position and will contribute to bringing about change for Kenyans.
“In a very significant way, it does. We are having a real conversation in Kenya today because I have decided that we will alter the development paradigm. It has given the government a new dimension,” he said.
“The realization that the base is significant. That the lower classes can make a significant contribution to national development if not a phenomenal contribution.”
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He illustrated how he helped Kenyans at the base of the economic pyramid gain access to credit by contributing Ksh.30 billion to support the initiative.
Mr. Ruto reflected on his victory after eleven months in office, attributing the calm that followed the closely contested elections of 2022 to Kenya’s’mature’s trajectory.
He stated that the order was a stark contrast to previous elections, which had always been marred by violence.
“Kenya’s democracy is maturing. People have come to recognize that we are a democracy in which the will of the people is supreme. “We ran a different campaign for this election,” he continued.
He went on to say that his approach to the then-political campaigns was to focus on issues that were important to Kenyans, which gave him an advantage over his chief rival, the current opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“We conducted a campaign on issues. It involved housing, employment, and health concerns. And I think it speaks to the maturity of the Kenyan people, the maturity of our democracy, and the fact that Kenyans want and are mature enough to recognize an issue-based campaign and candidate,” he said.
Ruto: My Rags-to-Riches Story Inspires Bottom-Up Development
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