President Uhuru Kenyatta has took a swipe at his Deputy President William Ruto for what he termed as incitement of Kenyans and bashed him for deserting him in the hour of need.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, the President, without mentioning name, blasted his deputy for faulting him over the rising cost of living yet he is not the cause.
He attributed the current situation to issues beyond his control like the Coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict stating that the DP and his allies have been misleading the nation about the true state of affairs regarding the economy.
“Instead of helping me find solutions to issues affecting our people, you are out there in the markets hurling insults and you call yourself a leader, yet you claim that you hold a senior leadership position,” Kenyatta said.
He said Covid led to a loss of jobs and affected many businesses in the economy.
“It is not Kenyans who brought the Covid-19 pandemic that cost loss of lives and jobs. But even as we try to bring back order and revive the economy, others have begun wars that are completely out of nowhere,” he said.
Uhuru noted that his government has done its best to correct the effects of the Covid and Ukraine wars.
Kenya Kwanza Alliance has criticised the government for failing to cushion Kenyans from the rising cost of living.
The leaders led by Ruto took issue with the government for not addressing issues of taxation.
Ruto claimed the current challenges facing Kenyans started soon after the ‘handshake’ between Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, which he says fanned the collapse of the Big Four Agenda.
He accused the government of forgetting poor Kenyans who cannot afford basic commodities and instead of giving out millions in bailouts to state institutions in financial distress.
Ruto defended his time in government, saying in that period, he and President Kenyatta managed to construct the Standard Gauge Railway, increase road network and electricity connections.
“Under my government, we shall make sure there is free health cover for all Kenyans and no family will sell its assets to pay medical bills,” he said.