It's Ruto's mandate to offer solutions on cost of living not Raila - Omari

City lawyer says Kenyans deserve answers from Ruto who holds the instruments of power

In Summary

•Last week, Azimio leader Raila Odinga suggested ways President William Ruto's government can embrace to lower the cost of living.

•Omari stated that when Raila lost the presidential elections, it was President William Ruto who was given the mandate by Kenyans to handle such issues.

ODM Raila Odinga in a past event.
ODM Raila Odinga in a past event.
Image: FILE

Lawyer and political analyst Danstan Omari says Opposition chief Raila Odinga has no mandate to provide solutions to Kenyans on the cost of living.

On Tuesday, Omari stated that when Raila lost the presidential elections, it was President William Ruto who was given the mandate by Kenyans to handle such issues.

"Kenyans rejected him and gave President Ruto that mandate. Anyone asking solution or alternative from Raila Odinga simply does not understand that it is not his mandate," he explained on K24.

The lawyer said Kenyans deserve answers on tackling the issues of the high cost of living from Ruto who has the instruments of power.

At the moment, there are cries by Kenyans over the skyrocketing cost of living.

The government had already sent a clear message about how it will deal with the cost of living.

“My government will lower the cost of living,” President Ruto said on September 13, 2023, after being sworn in.

A survey conducted in late July by Tifa research firm showed that 79 per cent of those polled thought that the ever-rising cost of living was driving the country in the wrong direction.

Kenyans are expecting that the President will address the high cost of living and perhaps give hope that prices of basic commodities and fuel will be reduced.

Last week, Azimio leader Raila Odinga suggested ways President William Ruto's government can embrace to lower the cost of living.

Raila said that one year on since the inception of the new government,  it is now time to reset economic policy broadly.

The Azimio leader said transforming a nation takes hard, dedicated and honest labour of leaders and citizens.

He, however, said no nation is beyond reconstruction and transformation because all it takes is leadership.

"There is a devastating loss of trust and confidence in our economy, our financial markets and our government. We are caught in a cycle where reduced spending power leads to loss of jobs which leads to even less spending; where people can’t borrow because rates charged are too high, yet lack of borrowing slows growth and leads to even less credit," he said.

The Azimio boss said that the reduction in the cost of living is a priority economic imperative.

He said to achieve this, the government should provide some basic relief to citizens, including reduction of taxes; and stimulating production.

Raila said to release resources to achieve these objectives, the government must cut the budget by Sh500 billion.

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