Ruto Rubbishes Raila's Protest Threats, To Lower Unga Prices To Ksh120

President William Ruto on Wednesday, February 22 poured cold water on Azimio la Umoja coalition leader, Raila Odinga's plans to stage mass action in 14 days if his demands are not met.

Speaking during the launch of the Nairobi River Commission (NRC) at Korogocho, Nairobi County, Ruto reminded Raila of his own failures while being former President Uhuru Kenyatta's handshake partner, where he had the best chance to address the high cost of living.

Revisiting his accolades since being sworn in on September 13, 2022, Ruto expressed that he managed to clear Ksh300 billion of debt in his first financial year in power and managed to oversee the lowering of the interest rate on loans disbursed by international financial institutions, something the previous regime failed to do.

"Nobody is going to threaten anybody in this government. You had five years of a handshake and your things and cost of living shot through the roof.

"You left us with debts, we have now already cleared Ksh300 billion of debt in this financial year. The interest rate on loans given to us by international financial institutions was as high as 17 per cent but now is below 10 per cent," he stated.

Ruto further warned Raila that he would demonstrate until he gives up, urging him to focus on productive matters. 

On the cleanliness of Nairobi's rivers, Ruto hit out at the series of stalled efforts by the previous government to clean up the rivers, calling upon the opposition to allow them to carry out its work.

"You call yourselves 'Jogoo wa Nairobi' Which Nairobi? Nairobi whose rivers are stinking and full of garbage? Let us show them what Nairobi should look like. Give us a break, give us space. Relax (tuliza boli)," he added.

On the cost of living, Ruto urged the opposition to stop putting too much pressure on them, giving an example of how the cost of unga shot above Ksh200 during Uhuru's tenure while announcing that it has since gone down gradually.

This was one of the main points of contention in Raila's call for the food subsidies to be restored to protect Kenyans from the high cost of living.

“We have been talking about the rising cost of basic commodities like unga, electricity, diesel, petrol sugar, and milk among others for far too long. We have complained about raising taxes and we have lately talked about children dropping out of school for lack of fees.

"Withdrawal of subsidies on food and education in a middle of a drought and famine was a reckless move. Subsidies must be restored, and the price of basic commodities and taxes must come down in the next 14 days," Raila stated.

Raila Odinga at Jeevanjee Gardens on February 22, 2023. /NATION BREAKING