President Ruto tells off Raila over criticism on high cost of living

President William Ruto on Saturday responded to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga's criticism of his government and the high cost of living.

The debate on how his government is responding to the high cost of living was the key talking point in Kirinyaga County, where the Head of State accompanied by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, launched the Ksh.7.8 billion Thiba Dam project, meant for boosting Mwea rice farming through irrigation.

The President used the occasion to tell off the Azimio leader over criticism of the government’s handling of the country's economy and especially the high cost of living.

"Our competition should know that we have a different approach, they are subsidizing consumption, and we are going to invest in production, it is a world of a difference. We are going to teach them Agricultural Economics ndio waelewe," he remarked.

“Don’t lecture us on sustainable living. We will teach you Agricultural economics. We are looking at a permanent food safety solution, sio ile yenu ya kuongeza bei ya unga hadi imefika mia mbili.”

He insisted that his administration has an alternative plan different from his successor Uhuru Kenyatta for cushioning Kenyans against the devastating effects of the economy.

"Nyinyi mlitumia bilioni nane mwezi moja kusubsidize unga yenye haikufikia mwananchi, sisi tutatumia hio bilioni nane kusubsidize magunia milioni sita ya kusaidia wakulima watuzalishie chakula cha kusaidia Wakenya," President Ruto explained.

While explaining that the sorry state of the economy that has led to the high cost of living is a result of former President Kenyatta’s government’s spending on unpopular initiatives such as the BBI, DP Gachagua faulted Odinga for failing to criticize the previous administration on its spending priorities.

“Wewe Raila ulichukua pesa ukaweka kwa BBI. Mbona hukukosoa Uhuru wakati huo wa miaka minne? Tulienda hasara ya BBI, Azimio na reggae,” Gachagua stated.

"Unaongea vizuri sana, na hio ndio kazi yako ya kutukosoa. Kama ungefanya hio kazi ya kukosoa serikali ya Uhuru Kenyatta, hatungefika hapa tuko. You abandoned your duty to oversight government."

National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah added: “Rais usishtuliwe na opposition. Wanapiga kelele ati food prices, lazima wakupee time. Sisi tuko na wewe, usishtuke.”

Other than using extensive agriculture to tackle the high cost of living, the Head of State also announced that the Hustlers Fund meant to empower vulnerable families and small-scale businesses will be formally unveiled in December this year.

“Nimeweka wizara maalum ambayo itasimamia copperatives, SMEs, Chama, Sacco...kwa sababu that is the only way...nobody will ask about the security of the funds and you will the funds at low interests. Itakuwa na one digit interest,” the President stated.