Raila: Ruto Presidency Linked to Kenya’s Prolonged Economic Struggle
On Sunday, Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition, held President William Ruto responsible for the elevated expenses of daily life. He linked this situation to widespread corruption and detrimental tribalism that he claims have thrived during Ruto’s administration.
Addressing the audience in Nyamira County, the leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition alleged that the rise in the costs of goods like flour and sugar originates from dubious activities involving individuals from President Ruto’s close-knit group, who also possess interests in these industries.
“Uchumi huu ata Ruto akae miaka 100 haiwezi rekebika kwa sababu ya ufisadi. Wao ndio wameleta mahindi, ngano, michele, sukari na mafuta ya kupikia yote yanapitia hapa Mombasa na inauzwa kwa bei ya juu na hiyo inaenda kwa mfuko za marafiki wa Bwana Ruto na yeye mwenyewe,” Odinga said.
This translates to; “Kenya’s economy will continue to struggle as long as Ruto is president, even if he rules for 100 years. These people are the ones who handle the supply of maize, wheat, rice, sugar, and cooking oil through the Mombasa port. They are then sold at high prices, to the benefit of Mr Ruto and his friends.”
Odinga stated that during the tenure of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, under whose leadership he was endorsed as the favored heir over his then-deputy, Dr. Ruto, Kenya’s economy experienced a period of improvement.
Odinga contends that the previous government did not suffer from widespread corruption and divisive ethnic influences as seen in Ruto’s administration.
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“Wakati ule kulikuwa na pesa wakati wa Uhuru, bei ya Mafuta ata Ushuru ilikuwa Chini…kitu kubwa inaitwa Ufisadi ndio watu wengi hawajasema…ufisadi ndio shida kwa hii serikali (There was money during Uhuru’s time, taxation was low and so was the price of fuel. The biggest problem with this government is corruption)” said Odinga.
“Sahii unaskia Ruto anaajiri watu Permanent Secretary 51 na imejaa ukabila. Kuna ubaguzi kubwa na ukabila, Hatuwezi kukubali watu wabaguliwe na wakenya wanatoa ushuru (His appointment of 51 PSs was very ethnic, we cannot allow it yet all Kenyans pay taxes),” he added.
The leader of the opposing party connected Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his family to the recent mishandled acquisition procedure managed by the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), which almost resulted in the nation losing anti-malaria nets worth Ksh.3.7 billion from the Global Fund.
“Uliskia ya Kemsa na Net ya Mbu wale waliohusika kwanza walifuta PS na wahusika walikuwa ni Gachagua na Mtoto wake (You heard about KEMSA and the mosquito nets. Those involved first fired the PS in charge and they are Gachagua and one of his children),” Odinga said.
“Wizi wa Net ya Mbu uliza Ruto alisema atafanya kitu na mpaka sasa bado (Ruto said he would do something about it but to date nothing has happened. It is Gachagua),” he added.
He was talking about Josephine Mburu, the former Health Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards. She was dismissed on May 25th, but she has now distanced herself from the procurement procedure, stating that it commenced when she assumed the position.
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Odinga also refuted claims of seeking a reconciliation with Ruto akin to the ‘Handshake’ event in March 2018 with Kenyatta, as indicated by the bipartisan discussions endorsed by both leaders’ groups.
He asserted that the discussions are aimed at benefiting Kenyan citizens, describing President Ruto’s administration as too tainted to engage in such a reconciliation or coalition government arrangement.
“Sisi tumesema tuko tayari kuzungumza. Sisi hatujasema ata siku moja eti tunataka nusu mkate, Staki kushika mkono na wezi nitaharibu Jina langu. (We are ready to discuss, we have never said we want a nusu mkate arrangement. I do not want to shake hands with thieves; I will soil my name,” said the Azimio leader.
Azimio and Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance have established a discussion panel. Azimio’s objectives include lowering the expenses associated with daily life, investigating the servers used in the 2022 General Election, a non-partisan restructuring of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), incorporating it into national matters, and upholding the dignity of political parties.
Odinga has warned of the possibility of resuming street protests if the anticipated bipartisan negotiations do not yield positive results. The previous series of demonstrations resulted in the unfortunate loss of more than 20 lives.
Conversations held in April and May fell apart as both parties exchanged accusations of deliberate interference.
Raila: Ruto Presidency Linked to Kenya’s Prolonged Economic Struggle
