-
In a statement on Saturday, the MCSK boss said thousands of people who turned up to receive the gifts did it out of love.
-
He told off critics who claimed it was wrong for the President to brand the gifts with his name saying the political game calls for it.
Image: FILE
Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua has come to the defence of President William Ruto amid criticism over Christmas gifts to Sugoi residents.
Ruto came under attack from some Kenyans after residents from Uasin Gishu and neighbouring Nandi and Kakamega counties thronged Ruto’s home for early Christmas giveaways
On Friday, Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel visited their hometown in Sugoi to share Christmas gifts.
They received packets of wheat flour, cooking oil, and rice.
However, the visit has drawn mixed reactions from some leaders and Kenyans on social media.
In a statement on Saturday, the MCSK boss said thousands of people who turned up to receive the gifts did it out of love.
He told off critics who claimed it was wrong for the President to brand the gifts with his name saying the political game calls for it.
"So the President invites his village mates in Sugoi to share Christmas gifts and people have a problem with it? Some are arguing that he shouldn't have branded the goodies in his name. For God's sake, the President is a politician, and the game calls for branding at every opportunity," he said.
"The thousands who turned up did it out of love, the same way they have been turning up to elect him. I would have been more worried if they didn't. And even then he wouldn't be helpless."
Mutua said that Kenyans who have an issue with the President gifting his hometown residents are just mean.
"If you have an issue with the President treating his people for Christmas then it's not because of your position, money or lack thereof; you are just mean!"
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed also told off critics.
“If you're against sharing with your neighbours and humanity, you might want to check if your heart's still beating. Being mean is a bad thing, but it’s even worse to campaign against sharing with humanity,” Mohamed said.
Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga was also not left behind in defending Ruto.
"If you're criticising the president for sharing Christmas gifts with Kenyans who visited him at his home, you're a demented hypocrite. If you're mean, don't force the president and those who have a heart for giving to be mean, too," she tweeted.