Kalonzo queries source of Ruto’s ‘handout millions’
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday questioned the legitimacy of Deputy President William Ruto’s wealth.
In his latest attack on his successor, the former Vice-President noted that while Ruto’s salary was Sh1.2 million, he donated over Sh10 million in his recent visit of Kitui County.
“It cannot be that you are earning Sh1.2 million but contribute Sh10 million every weekend,” said Kalonzo.
Ruto has previously claimed that he makes Sh1.5 million a day from his Koitalel poultry farm, which he said has 200,000 chickens.
Kalonzo’s criticism comes barely a month after Ruto’s Jubilee Party questioned his source of wealth and challenged him to pay taxes commensurate with his earnings.
Secretary-General Raphael Tuju said that in 2015, Ruto publicly declared that he was worth Sh100 million.
“In seven years, the DP has acquired assets like choppers, hotels and land worth billions of shillings; all while studying for his PhD and being very busy as the number two man in Kenya. We have the truth by our side,” Tuju said.
Bottom up
He added: “With an income of Sh1.5 million a day, the only thing left is to show us the figures with respect to his very big payment to the Kenya Revenue Authority. As a Christian, he should give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”
Yesterday, Kalonzo dismissed the bottom-up economic model championed by Ruto and his allies as “handout economics” whose purpose is “quick fix” and not a sustainable economic model that can prosper a country.
“The bottom-up approach being pushed by Ruto is purely handout economics.
It is trying to perpetually make people feel that they should depend on you for handouts. We must as a country empower people so that they do not depend on handouts,” he said.
The Wiper Party leader, who was addressing mourners at the burial of his former driver and friend George Musyoka and wife Wayua, in Mwingi, said corruption was the root cause of poverty and unemployment in the country.
He promised that his administration would eradicate corruption and create wealth for Kenyans if he is elected in next year’s presidential election.
Compromise candidate
Kalonzo, who was making his first return to his political backyard since the last election, is campaigning for the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) presidential ticket.
Kalonzo once again declared that he would not play second fiddle to another leader in next year’s election.
“This time round, I am going for the presidency. I will not play second fiddle to anyone. I will be the President of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
OKA alliance is composed of Kalonzo, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula.
Some political analysts argue that OKA leaders have little chance of winning the next presidential election whether they run separately or field one candidate.
Masinde Muliro University lecturer Egara Kabaji said the OKA leaders are between a rock and a hard place.
“They are fighting for relevance and value. None will be surrendering soon. None stands a chance of being president if he goes it alone.
Only one option for all of them. Build an alliance with winning team and survive,” said Kabaji.
University of Eldoret don and a political analyst Philip Chebunet said OKA leaders appear rudderless.
“It is good for them to be quiet and decide not to vie. They look rudderless and don’t know what happens to them after 2022 hence they have become experts in guesswork and gambling,” he said.
He went on: “They bolted from National Super Alliance (Nasa) without a clear plan, hence became vulnerable to any other offers.
They look indecisive to say the least. Political obscurity is their menu in 2022,” he said.
But Kitui Senator Enock Wambua, a close ally of Kalonzo, said that although his boss and Mudavadi have both vowed to be on the ballot, they will eventually agree on who becomes the alliance’s flag bearer.
Wambua said the issue of picking a presidential candidate for OKA is a matter of determination by the principals.
“The technical team can only guide on the criteria like experience in political leadership, a solid and verifiable support base and acceptability across the country among other variables.
But the principals will have the final word on the matter of the OKA flag bearer,” said Wambua.
