Ruto Accuses Uhuru & Raila of Illicitly Financing Protests with Stolen Funds
President William Ruto on Thursday, July 13, accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of using stolen government funds to finance ongoing anti-government protests.
This is the first occasion that Ruto has linked the former head of state to a series of anti-government demonstrations by Azimio La Umoja that have rocked Kenya in recent months, including on July 12.
Ruto, in the company of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and local leaders, stated at a public rally in Tharaka Nithi that Uhuru was the pocket behind mass demonstrations.
“Naambia hawa handshake brothers, nyinyi mnapanga, mnatumia pesa mulizoiba kupiganisha Kenya mkinunua vijana walete fujo na maafa kwa sababu hamtaki tuendelee kama wakenya (The handshake brothers are using the money they stole to buy youths to cause chaos and deaths because they do not want Kenya to progress),” Ruto stated.
“We cannot tolerate anarchy in Kenya, I assure you. We will not permit the handshake brothers to hold our nation for ransom and hostages through violence,” he added.
Ruto blamed the handshake and the failed Building Bridges (BBI) initiative promoted by Uhuru and the leader of the Azimio Party, Raila Odinga, for Kenya’s current economic difficulties.
In the past, Ruto’s allies have accused Uhuru of being behind Raila’s new campaign, but this was the first time that the head of state shared the same opinion.
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Other speakers at the rally at Tharaka Nithi also accused Uhuru of fomenting the pandemonium that the nation witnessed on Wednesday when protestors in 25 counties halted operations.
“As residents of Mount Kenya, we informed Uhuru that we cannot tolerate Raila because he is disorderly. We will not permit those leaders in Raila’s faction to devastate the region,” stated Gachagua.
Ruto defended his decision to raise taxes, arguing that it was the only way to save Kenya from its debt predicament.
“So much money was borrowed, but we have no idea how it was spent; we have borrowed from nearly every country.” Should we borrow more or collect sufficient taxes to become self-sufficient?” Ruto posed.
He also questioned how the ongoing demonstrations would reduce the price of commodities such as cornmeal.
Ruto added, “This man (Raila) is disorderly, has refused to accept defeat, and is currently causing destruction and sabotaging the economy.”
The head of state pledged to remain in place and not be intimidated into a ‘handshake’ with Raila and vowed that all involved parties will be arrested and charged.
Ruto Accuses Uhuru & Raila of Illicitly Financing Protests with Stolen Funds
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