Ruto Rubbishes Criticism After 'Waende Mbunguni' Remarks [VIDEO]

President William Ruto on Wednesday, August 30 stood firm on his push to chase away select tycoons he accused of manipulating the sugar sector, in his bid to revive Kenya's sugar industry.

Speaking at the Kenya Medical Training College in Navakholo, Kakamega County, a defiant Ruto reiterated that he would not allow the individuals to bring down the sugar industry when he was making inroads to revive it and regulate it in the process.

He charged back at statements issued both by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Azimio la Umoja coalition which slammed him over remarks on fighting corrupt cartels frustrating the sugar sector, adding that he was not going to let them stop the government's plan to revitalise sugar companies in the Western regions.

"Some people are trying to bring me problems, that I've said I've disrupted...I have said and let me repeat so that they listen well.

"Azimio people went and issued a statement defending thieves, corrupt individuals and cartel people so that they keep eating Mumias money? That cannot happen," he sternly defended.

Ignoring the backlash he faced over his 'waende mbinguni' remarks, Ruto repeated the three options he earlier this week laid on the table to the cartels; to either flee the country, risk jail terms or 'go to heaven'.

"They have filled in so many words in the newspapers I don't know LSK have said this, Azimio people have said that, let me repeat so that they listen properly.

"Corrupt officials, cartels and thieves, those misusing public coffers have destroyed Mumias and Nzoia companies because everything has become a mess and then they are coming here and pretending. They should leave Kenya, and if they don't leave, we will jail them, and if they continue, they should make plans to go to heaven," he added, much to the cheers of the crowd.

The Head of State lamented that the companies owned by the tycoons were generating more money and paying their workers while public companies were left to struggle despite the government pumping money into the latter.

"And because all those other companies are operational it means that the sugarcane is not the problem, management is the problem, and that is why we must sort out the management of these companies," Ruto blamed.

His response came a day after LSK President Eric Theuri compelled Ruto to withdraw remarks made against billionaire Jaswant Rai and other sugar tycoons he accused of frustrating the sugar sector.

The LSK President also demanded that Ruto keep off from making roadside statements dragging individuals into criminal activities and to let the court system take its course.

"The demand that we want to make to the President is to not only withdraw and apologise for those very unfortunate remarks but to also allow the due process of law to take its course to its logical conclusion," he added.

"To interfere in those processes (of the law) before the court has made its determination is to undermine the rule of law and the authority of the court as an independent arbitrar."

Azimio on its part, through Senate Minority leader Stewart Madzayo, claimed that Ruto's remarks threatened investors who do not support him.

“Even though Mr. (Jaswant Singh) Rai is being accused of frustrating the revival of the sugar industry there are better ways to address this other than the president of a democratic country issuing roadside threats,” Azimio stated.

The Raila Odinga-led coalition further said it would wait for a proposal to revive the sugar sector to be tabled in Parliament.

Ruto's remarks came after Rai was kidnapped by unknown people and released after 24 hours. Reports indicated that a CEO of a local bank was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' (DCI) Economic Crimes Unit over his links to Rai.