President William Ruto has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of funding the ongoing anti-government protests with money he stole from the government.
This is the first time Ruto has linked the former President to a series of anti-government protests by Azimio La Umoja that have rocked Kenya in recent months, including on Wednesday, July 12.
Addressing a public rally in Tharaka Nithi with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and local leaders, Ruto remarked that Uhuru was the pocket behind mass protests.
“Naambia hawa handshake brothers, nyinyi mnapanga, mnatumia pesa mulizoiba kupiganisha Kenya mkinunua vijana walete fujo na maafa kwa sababu hamtaki tuendelee kama Wakenya,” Ruto stated.
“I assure you that we can not accept anarchy in Kenya. We will not allow handshake brothers to hold our country at ransom and to hold hostage by causing violence,” he added.
Ruto blamed the current economic hardships in Kenya on the handshake and the failed Building Bridges (BBI) initiative pushed by Uhuru and Azimio Party leader Raila Odinga.
Ruto’s allies have previously accused Uhuru of being behind Raila’s new push, but this was the first time the head of state had expressed similar sentiments.
Other speakers at the rally at Tharaka Nithi accused Uhuru of fomenting the chaos that erupted across the country on Wednesday after protestors across 25 counties brought activities to a standstill.
“As people from Mt Kenya, we told Uhuru that we will not accept Raila as he is chaotic. We shall not allow those leaders in Raila’s camp to destroy the region,” Gachagua stated.
Ruto defended his decision to raise taxes, claiming that it was the only way to get the country out of debt.
“So much money was borrowed but we do not know how it was spent, we have taken loans from almost every country. Are we supposed to borrow more or collect enough taxes to be self-sufficient?” Ruto posed.
He also questioned how the ongoing protests would reduce the cost of commodities such as maize flour.
“This man (Raila) is chaotic, he has refused to accept defeat and he is now causing destruction and sabotaging the economy,” Ruto added.
The head of state vowed not to be intimidated into a ‘handshake’ by Raila and promised that all those involved would be arrested and charged.
