Mixed reactions greet President’s inaugural address
Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday expressed mixed reactions to the inaugural speech delivered by President William Ruto in Parliament yesterday.
While those from Kenya Kwanza headed by Ruto termed the speech as short and sweet, those allied to Azimio la Umoja headed by Raila Odinga said it gaps that ought to be addressed.
Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee Musalia Mudavadi said Ruto did well by just focusing on key issues that affect the common ‘mwananchi’ directly rather than reading a speech for long hours.
Mudavadi said that this is the time to start working for Kenyans to ensure that the economy which is currently at its worst stage is revived.
“I think the president did well for not reading a prolonged speech, this was a very good gesture from him. What came out of him is that this is not the time to sit pretty because we have a job to do. We need to start rethinking how to prudently use our resources.”
He added: “at the moment we are in a very difficult moment and what we must do is to work our best to get us out of this debt, create jobs as well as ensure access to credit.”
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi charged that Kenyans are caught in Fuliza because of corruption, adding that the country is borrowing more than it should because taxes are being stolen.
“It is not just our youths and poor citizens who are addicted to Fuliza. The entire government is in Fuliza mode. The government has Fuliza from China and it is all a result of corruption. Some of the criminals and suspects are already being honoured with cabinet appointments. Ruto must assure this country that corruption will stop being a way of life and he must demonstrate this by dropping from his cabinet lineup people who have corruption cases,” said Wandayi.
He went on: “Without a commitment to the unity of the nation, fighting climate change and eliminating corruption, everything this administration is saying is nothing but hot air and hearsay and we will do everything to hold this regime to account.”
Promised legislation
Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi who was named as the country’s Attorney General said all the pieces of legislation that Ruto has promised will be brought to the house will be given the required attention.
Muturi said he was specifically happy that his proposal to have cabinet secretaries appear before the lawmakers are being actualized following Ruto’s directive.
He said that the only thing required to actualize this is to amend Standing Order 125 to have strangers appear in the house.
“Most of the legislative proposals will get the best attention. Just expect a hands-on person who will be quite concentrative just like I have always been when I was the speaker. I have not yet visited the Attorney General’s chamber but I will soon do that.”
He added: “lastly I would like to say I am a very happy person today because of this proposal to have the cabinet secretaries appear in the chamber.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch charged that the president’s speech was both good and bad citing that he failed to explain how his administration was going to raise revenue.
“His idea on savings is still raw. It is not yet concrete. He should be thinking of raising more revenue instead of cutting down the budget,” said Oketch.
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia said that Ruto’s speech spoke to many Kenyans as his message touched on key areas such as the economy, which affects Kenyans.
Priority areas
Eldas MP Adan Keynan said the President’s speech had laid a proper foundation of government priority areas and corresponding legislative obligations to allow the government delivery to the Kenyan people.
“There is a critical legislative task ahead for this parliament to align government policies with such priority areas such as business culture change to empower SMEs to grow and create employment opportunities to our youth and many other aligned areas,” he said.
He added: “The proposal to reinstate CDF and to also unlock the Oversight Fund for Senate will go a long way in enhancing the oversight work of this parliament.”
Embakasi South MP Julius Mwathe said he was glad that the president was able to address the issue of the National Government -Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“The NG-CDF we are currently relying on is drawn from the National Government kitty and therefore should not be done away with. Everyone knows how beneficial this fund has been.”
Narok senator Ledama Ole Kina said he supported the court’s decision to declare NG-CDF illegal as the said monies should be channelled through devolved units.
He however welcomed Ruto’s move to set aside a kitty for senators to enable them to oversight governors
Nominated MP John Mbadi charged that it was not going to be easy to reduce the budget by at least Sh300billion, adding that what Ruto’s administration should be concerned with is reducing wastage and dealing firmly with corruption.
“You cannot cut the budget without jeopardizing other critical infrastructure development that improves the economy.”
