Ruto’s Warning to Rai After Shocking Abduction
President William Ruto warned private millers on Sunday that he would not relent in his efforts to regulate the sugar industry in order to revitalize government-owned companies.
The visibly agitated Head of State declared during the interdenominational thanksgiving and prayer service at Uwanja Ndege Grounds in Bungoma County that he would not stand by and allow a few individuals to exploit Kenyans economically.
He singled out Rai (Jaswant Rai) of the Rai Group, who has been in the news since his abduction by anonymous individuals on Saturday, August 26.
The same day, his family filed a missing persons report at Kilimani Station. The Rai Group controls over forty percent of the nation’s sugar production and market supply.
“Msikuwe na wasiwasi niko hapo chonjo kabisa. Nitahakikisha hii kitu inakaa chonjo. Na wakora wote wako katikati. Msikuwe na wasiwasi ati kuna mtu atakuja kutuongelesha kingereza. Sijui mhindi fulani. Sijui nani ni nani. Sijui mwingine ananiambia Rai. Rai Nani? Hapana hiyo haiwezekani.”His comments can be loosely translated as follows:
“Do not worry, I am vigilant to ensure that everything will be fine. Regarding the revitalization of the sugar industry, the President assured citizens that no one would interfere.
ALSO READ: Billionaire Rai Kidnapping: Daylight Abduction Sparks Concerns (VIDEO)
“Do not worry about someone wishing to speak with us. Someone told me about Rai. What is Rai’s identity? “That is not possible,” Ruto responded.
The President questioned why privately-owned sugar companies were more profitable than their publicly-owned competitors, despite the government’s substantial investment in the latter.
According to the President’s vision, public-private partnerships will revitalize the sugar industry.
As this strategy had failed in the past, he explained that his government would no longer operate the region’s public sugar refineries exclusively.
“We want a formula that will bring government and the private sector together so that the Nzoia company can be sustainable and help both the locals and the government,” he explained.
“We cannot conduct commerce as if we were the government. This has been attempted before and failed. We pour millions into it, but it sinks. How can private mills be profitable when government-owned mills are burdened by debt? “It’s a management issue,” stated the chief of state.
In addition, he reaffirmed that the government is committed to resolving the sugar crisis in the region and emphasized his resolve to take decisive action.
“I want to assure you that this government will solve the sugar problem in this region, as we have decided to do so,” he pledged.
The Rai Siblings
Jaswant Singh Rai, Chairman of the Rai Group, and Sarbi Singh Rai, CEO of the Uganda-based Sarrai Group, are brothers. However, the latter has interests in Kenya.
In Kenya, Jaswant Singh’s Rai oversees West Kenya Sugar/Kabras Millers in Malava, Kakamega, Sukari Industries of Ndhiwa in Homabay, Olepito Sugar at Tangakona in Busia, and Bungoma county’s Naitiri Sugar.
Recently, he was in the news for his battle with his sibling Sarbi Singh Rai for control of Mumias Sugar.
Saturday, Jaswant Singh Rai was reported missing after allegedly being seized in Kilimani, Nairobi.
Kilimani OCPD Moss Ndiwa explained to PoliticalPulseChat that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations was conducting the investigation.
“Rai’s daughter filed a missing person report, and DCI received the dossier. “Investigations are underway,” he updated the missing billionaire’s status.
Ruto’s Warning to Rai After Shocking Abduction
