Deputy President William Ruto has urged leaders to embrace political realignments saying it is a reflection of democracy.
Mr Ruto said political realignment is a practice accepted all over the world.
“Changing one’s allegiance or alliance is normal and should not be viewed as a result of compromise or inducement,” he said.
The Deputy President noted that issues such as good policies, fair play and progressiveness of an institution or a party attract those discontented elsewhere.
“It is only slaves who cannot change their minds,” said the Deputy President.
Mr Ruto said leaders were free to make political decisions and should not be construed to mean that they have been induced.
Speaking at the Masii Catholic Church in Mwala Constituency, Machakos County, during the Sunday sermon, the Deputy President asked Kenyans not to be slaves of certain political parties but make informed decisions ahead of the next General Election.
“Leaders are free to make their informed decisions and engage in political realignments in chatting their political future. This does not mean that they have been compromised,” said Mr Ruto.
“It does not mean that when we change our political course, we have been induced,” he added.
He was accompanied by MPs Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Victor Munyaka (Machakos town), Benson Mbai (Masinga), Elisha Busienei (Turbo), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Francis Mwangangi (Yatta) and former MP Kalembe Ndile.
The Deputy President said the Government would continue to work with leaders in serving all Kenyans equally despite their political affiliations.
He said it was the constitutional right of all Kenyans to access Government services notwithstanding their voting patterns during the last general elections.
Mr Ruto took issue with leaders bent on criticizing the Government for working with leaders from across the political divide in addressing the challenges facing the people.
He expressed concern that some leaders in the country were engaging in activities reminiscent to what happened during the era of slavery and slave trade.
The Deputy President said elected leaders from the Opposition do not need permission from anybody to work with the Government in solving the problems facing Kenyans.
“It is primitive for anybody to believe that elected leaders have to get permission from him to engage with other leaders,” said Mr Ruto.
“Any person in this 21st century who still believes in slavery believes in something of the past,” he added.
He said it is unbelievable that some leaders were opposed to those keen on initiating development projects that can transform the lives of the people.
“Some people who are opposed to leaders engaging in talks, planning or sharing of ideas together on how to develop Kenya are reminding us of slavery where slaves must get permission from their masters,” said Mr Ruto.
The MPs vowed to work with the Government in exploring ways of solving the problems facing the people.
Mr Munyaka and Mr Musyoka said the community was ready to work with the Government for the sake of development.
“I want to ask the Kamba community to make informed choices this time round by supporting the Jubilee administration for the sake of development of our region,” said Mr Munyaka.
They said the challenges facing the community especially poor infrastructure and water problems will only be solved by the Jubilee administration.
The Deputy President called upon Kamba leaders to join Jubilee so that they can spearhead more developments in the region.
According to Mr Ruto, the Government is keen on developing all areas, and it would be much more easier for them to initiate projects if the local leaders join them and give them strategies on how to implement them.
“We have been happy working with some of the leaders from this region and I am sure working with you all will see us make the lives of the people better,’ he said.
Mr Ruto said nothing would stop the Government from will working closely with elected leaders from across the country for the benefit of the people.
He said the country needs to be unified in order to develop.
Mr Ruto urged leaders to be at the forefront in the fight against tribalism and focus their energies more on development.
“We want to see the country develop equally. The Government is working towards a united country free from tribalism as the only way to achieve economic stability,” he said.
Mr Mbai emphasised on the need for the Kamba community to cooperate among themselves and work with the Government for the sake of development.
He said: “Politics of 2013 should not be a stumbling block to the development of this region. We should not be misled by Opposition leaders who have nothing new to offer to this region,” said Mr Mbai.
By DPPS.