Ruto Addresses Absence of Cost of Living in Azimio Agreement
President William Ruto has addressed the opposition’s concern that the cost of living was left out of his government’s agreement with the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Sunday, July 30, during the Interdenominational Church Service at Ukunda Showground in Kwale County, the head of state stated that the plan to reduce the cost of living was already included in the manifesto of Kenya Kwanza.
He argued that the government would adhere to its plan and disregard Azimio’s requests for a reduction in the cost of living.
However, the President assured Kenyans that all other concerns will be addressed during the discussions.
“Other executives have stated that the issues have not yet been discussed. What about living expenses? Already stated in our manifesto. It cannot be resolved through maandamano and other underhanded tactics.
“We have already begun implementing the manifesto that will reduce the cost of living. Soon, fertilizer will cost Ksh2,500. This will be the focus of our entire initiative,’ he explained.
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The Head of State stated that he had discussions with the opposition, and all parties concurred that his administration would not tolerate violence throughout the nation.
“I am obligated to ensure the safety and security of every Kenyan, regardless of whether they supported my policy or not. Our politics will be devoid of violence going forward,” he stated.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who was present at the event, argued that the two factions will only consider public welfare issues.
“We are not in the greeting business. We will focus on issues that are centered on people, Ichung’wah insisted.
Azimio la Umoja had distanced itself from the Kenya Kwanza agreement, contending that the terms of engagement did not address the primary issues that drove them to the streets.
The opposition reiterated their four-point agenda, which included the cost of living, reforms to electoral auditing, noninterference with coalitions and their constituent parties, and accountability and an investigation into police misconduct that has claimed dozens of innocent lives.
However, the issues that dominated the Kenya Kwanza’s statement were the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), implementation of the 2/3 gender rule and embedding of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), establishment and embedding of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and embedding of the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Ruto Addresses Absence of Cost of Living in Azimio Agreement
