In a speech littered with Biblical analogies and verses, the Head of State said the two are working hard to unite the country, scoffing at individuals claiming that their unity is betrayal. 

He noted that their unity is not for the benefit of individuals or parties but for the greater good of the country. 

"The unity we are prosecuting in Kenya is divine. It is God's ordained. Those who don't know God are telling us that unity is betrayal," President Ruto said. 

“The Bible says there is nothing impossible for those who are united. How sad and shameful that the devil has a different message against unity in our nation,” he said.

The President was speaking during an Easter Sunday service at Ntulele, Narok County.

He was accompanied by Governors Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok) and Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, MPs and other leaders.

He stated that the Bible is clear that nothing cannot be achieved when people are united. He wondered why some people see the unity government as a betrayal of Kenyans. 

“We must be united as a country because there is strength in unity. Those who are not God-fearing are saying unity is betrayal; how shameful, how tragic,” the President said.

The Head of State said he is committed to uniting the country with the help of Mr Odinga.

“We are working hard to unite the people of Kenya and that is why I am happy that my friend Raila Odinga and our parties are working together because in there, God will truly bless our nation,” he said.

“We are unapologetic, unashamed about uniting the people because we know we can go far, we can achieve more," he added. 

At the same time, the President urged Parliament to consider his memorandum on the Conflict of Interest Bill, which he referred to Parliament, to help curb corruption.

The President said he returned the Bill to Parliament because it did not meet the standards demanded by Kenyans, adding that he will not assent to a sub-standard Bill.

He pointed out that the Bill must be strengthened to effectively prevent public servants from using their positions and offices to benefit themselves, their friends, and their families.

“I want to ask Parliament, both the National Assembly and the Senate, to carefully consider the memorandum I sent to them to make sure that we stop conflict of interest that undermines the delivery and provision of public service in Kenya,” he said.

The President said Parliament should consider the Bill within the next three weeks in accordance with his recommendations, which aim to curb conflict of interest that he described as an enabler of corruption.

In another measure to enhance transparency and accountability, the President announced that the government rolled out the e-procurement system on April 1, 2025.

He explained that this measure would ensure that government gets the most competitive prices and the best suppliers.

“I am happy to say that the e-procurement that we have been waiting for for years started this April as I had committed,” President Ruto said.

The President reiterated the government's commitment to using public funds transparently for the benefit of the people.

“All the resources that are made available to us by the people of Kenya, through their taxes, must be spent in a transparent and accountable manner,” he said.

The President called for dialogue between counties and Members of Parliament over the management of roads funds.

He appealed to governors and MPs to let the funds be managed by the National Government, saying it would ensure maximum utilisation and impact.

At the same time, President Ruto urged Kenyans to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), pointing out that the government is committed to ensuring no one is left behind in the provision of universal healthcare.

“We do not want any citizens to sell their property or descend into poverty over hospital debts” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Ntutu said the leadership of Narok County had resolved they would not participate in harambee for medical bills for residents who do not register for SHA.

“We will not come [to the harambee] because you have refused a good programme that would help you,” he said.

He explained that many patients in the county had benefited from SHA which, he said, had made payments of up to Sh3 million.

comulo@ke.nationmedia.com