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Ruto: This is what I focused on for the last five months

Said he removed the subsidy on power because it was unsustainable.

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News24 February 2023 - 13:29
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In Summary


  • Bashing his critics, Ruto said he and his government cannot be threatened by people with protests.
  • From January, Raila has led the Azimio Coalitions in anti-government protests.
President William Ruto speaking in Mombasa during the ground-break construction of the Taifa Gas LPG terminal on February 24, 2023

President William Ruto has told off critics over remarks on his achievements in the last five months.

Speaking in Mombasa on Friday, Ruto said that he had his eyes focused on stabilising the economy which had deteriorated.

“My first assignment in the last five months is to stabilise the economy. This is through the removal of subsidies,” he said.

Ruto argued that the subsidies were benefiting only a few people, and Kenyans were still experiencing a high cost of living.

Ruto said he removed the subsidy on power because it was unsustainable.

He also removed subsidisation of basic commodities such as food and fertilizers.

Defending his move, President Ruto said his government will not subsidies consumables but will instead focus on products which will lead to stabilisation in prices.

“We are going to promote products and that is why four million farmers are accessing fertilizers that we have subsidized as government so that we can support our production,” he said.

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The President has emphasised that he will not bring any subsidies during his tenure.

“And I want to assure the people of Kenya that we will not go back to subsidies that benefit brokers, cartels and people who are politically aligned,” Ruto added.

As a result of removing the subsidies, the president said Kenya’s economy has stabilised.

“I have stabilised the economy now, I’m now dealing with the high cost of living not on a short-term basis but on a sustainable manner,” Ruto said.

Bashing his critics, Ruto said he and his government cannot be threatened by people with protests.

He tore up Opposition leader Raila  Odinga’s anti-government protests saying that he had five years of handshake and still has nothing to show.

“There is no need to threaten people with protests You had five years of the handshake shenanigans and is the reason why the cost of living is where it is today,” Ruto added.

From January, Raila has led the Azimio Coalitions in anti-government protests.

So far they have held rallies in Nairobi, Machakos, Kisumu, Busia, Kisii and Kakamega.

Despite the rallies, Ruto said he will remain unshaken and continue serving Kenyans.

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