Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned his foot soldiers against following him blindly in his 2022 presidential journey.
The deputy president has instead encouraged his supporters to scrutinise and understand his economic revival platform dubbed Bottom-Up Economic Development Model.
“There are people who are following others blindly. I do not want anybody to follow me blindly. I want us to agree that we are going this way and everyone must reasonably understand that we are going this way for this reason,” said Ruto.
The deputy president, who is seeking support as he vies for the 2022 presidential seat, said he would not appreciate obsessive followers.
Speaking at his official residence in Karen on Tuesday, October 12, when he met aspiring leaders from Mt Kenya and Ukambani regions who want to run on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, Ruto urged Kenyans to support visionary leaders with development plans and track records.
“I want you to support leaders who have plans and agenda for this country. Leadership is about coming up with policies that can transform the lives of people,” Ruto added.
The former Agriculture Minister further urged his allies to fully understand the pillars of the Bottom-Up economic model which he says majority of his supporters are less informed about it.
This comes at a time critics of William Ruto’s 2022 presidential campaign catchphrase have claimed most of the deputy president’s lieutenants do not actually understand what the economic model stands for.
But the deputy president yesterday made it clear that the bottom-up economic model is anchored on five main pillars that would radically transform the country.
He said apart from creating jobs for the unemployed, supporting SMEs by providing affordable loans, and providing farmers with the right farm inputs at affordable prices, the Bottom Up economic model will also expand economic activities as well as universal health coverage for all.