Inside Politics

Kenya Kwanza leaders rail at Uhuru for skipping Ruto

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 10:00 | By
President Uhuru Kenyatta with his Deputy William Ruto at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum during the 59th Madaraka Day celebrations in Nairobi yesterday. PHOTO/DPPs

Kenya Kwanza coalition top guns yesterday accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of using the 59th Madaraka Day celebrations to humiliate DP William Ruto.

They said it was sad and unfortunate that Uhuru chose not to acknowledge the presence of his principal assistant.

 “It’s unfortunate that the Sierra Leone President, Baada Bio, acknowledged our DP despite Uhuru ignoring his presence. The hallowed event was reduced into an Azimio La Umoja campaign forum,” claimed Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula.

 He was speaking at Thirime Primary School grounds in Kiambu County, where he had joined Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and a host of the  Kenya Kwanza coalition’s leaders during a football match dubbed Hustler Cup finals that was sponsored by the Deputy President.

 Wetang’ula also criticised President Uhuru who highlighted some of his achievements during the event.

“The President doesn’t live in this country. Kenyans were treated to a monologue of self-aggrandisement that doesn’t make sense,” he said.

 Ruto steered clear of the Uhuru Gardens issue and promised to revamp the country’s economy through job creation, and ensuring a business friendly environment, if Kenyans elect him President.

 “My government plans to allocate Sh100 billion towards housing, manufacturing, value addition and agro-processing; all geared towards job creation for our youth,” the Deputu President told the campaign rally.

Big Four Agenda

 He said the Jubilee administration had laid down a firm economic foundation in its Big Four Agenda and accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of sabotaging the same after he shook hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 Ruto exuded confidence that he will win the August 9 presidential election, noting that the polls will be about only one thing -- the economy.

In his speech earlier in the day, the President dwelt at length on economic issues, including investment in infrastructure.

But Ruto told the rally: “Our competitors have no idea on how to revamp the economy. They don’t know what to do with it”.

 He said his administration would create jobs for youth and also offer interest-free loans to all those willing to start or expand their small enterprises.

 “Creating employment for our youth will be our number one priority. We shall also take loan facilities to the ward levels so that everyone will have access to them,” he said.

 On health, the DP said that if elected, his government will ensure every Kenyan will have their health insurance catered for through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

 “Those of you who will not be able to pay for the insurance will enjoy free services by the government because we shall be committed to ensure that Universal Health Care (UHC) becomes a reality,” he said.

 He called upon Kenyans to shun leaders who are bent on dividing them along ethnic lines.

In his statement shortly after yesterday’s Madaraka Day fete, Ruto reminded Kenyans that the future is in their hands.

“Today we celebrate 59 years of Madaraka but we must not forget that we are responsible for the next years ahead. We are the makers of this nation, let us choose a path of progress, unity and prosperity,” Ruto said in a statement on Facebook.

 The DP further said his forming a coalition of parties with Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Justin Muturi presented Kenyans  with a winning formula, adding that they and other partners will win the elections with a clear majority.

 Kimani Wamatangi, who is eyeing the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, described Ruto as an embodiment of an inclusive and strategic leadership that attracts Kenyans with similar intent.

 Said he: “Ruto’s bottom-up economic model speaks of his belief in prioritising and empowering majority Kenyans suffering endemic economic marginalisation as a result of ‘top-down’ policies that have had little and negative impact on their economic and social well-being”.

Economic revolution promise

 “I personally joined UDA because it promises an economic revolution anchored on the Constitution; taking resources down to the people that really need it. It is this belief in an economic model that negates privilege and rewards effort to deliver broad-based shared prosperity,” said the Senator who intends to switch gears.

The DP did not have a chance to address the Madaraka Day celebrations.

Only President Kenyatta and his guest, President Maada Bio addressed Kenyans at the newly-opened Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum.

President Uhuru uncharacteristically took over the State address immediately after conferring State investiture to a list of outstanding Kenyans.

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