Efforts to reduce unga prices in top gear- Ruto
President William Ruto has assured the nation that his government is doing everything possible to bring down the high cost of living in the country.
Speaking during the official opening of Komarock South Primary School in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 12, the Head of State said efforts are underway to ensure the prices of basic commodities such as food are affordable.
While calling for patience, Ruto said the recent move by the government to subsidise the prices of fertiliser is aimed at increasing production in the country and ultimately bringing down the prices of food, especially, maize flour (unga).
"Bei ya unga bado iko juu sana. Tumepunguza gharama ya mbolea, tuwasaidie wakulima wetu wazalishe chakula ili tupunguze gharama ya chakula kwa Wakenya," Ruto said in his speech.
Loosely translated, "The cost of maize flour remains high. We have reduced the prices of fertiliser to help farmers produce enough food so that the prices of food can drop."
Ruto's remarks came moments after Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga said the current high cost of living is unbearable for ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during a meet-the-people tour in Mathare and Ruaraka constituencies on Wednesday, the ODM party leader accused Ruto's government of failing to honour pledges made during the August elections.
Raila said despite Ruto's promise to reduce the cost of basic commodities such as food and fuel, Kenyans continue to suffer due to current high prices.
Raila, who insists that he was rigged out in the August presidential poll, said he was forced to cut short his break from the limelight due to the cries of the common mwananchi.
He criticized Ruto's speech at the Nairobi Securities Exchange yesterday on encouraging boda boda operators to trade on NSE saying the riders can barely make enough.
"Yesterday he (Ruto) went to the NSE and announced boda boda riders will be able to invest in the stocks but after discussing with the riders, I have discovered that they barely make enough," he stated.
"Can a mama mboga invest in the stock exchange? It seems this government has forgotten their promises," Raila said.
Ruto hits back at Raila
Meanwhile, Ruto on Wednesday fired back at Raila saying he won the August presidential contest fair and square.
Addressing a roadside crowd after the opening of Komarock South Primary School, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leader said he managed to floor the Azimio candidate despite intimidation and endorsement by the former administration.
“Wale majamaa walikuwa wanajifanya ati ni deep state…Niliwaambia hiyo system ni hewa, nyinyi ndio kusema. Si mimi niliwaahidi ya kwamba hakuna mtu ataiba kura zetu? Si walijaribu, si walikutana na sisi," he added.
"Those guys were bragging that they had the deep state. I told you there was no system. You, the people, have the final say. Didn't I promise you that nobody would steal our votes? They tried, but they couldn't defeat us."
