Congolese Senator Demands an Apology from William Ruto over Cow Remarks

Congolese Senator Francine Muyumba has castigated Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto over his remarks on the availability of livestock in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Speaking during a public engagement forum in Nyeri on Monday, Ruto urged residents to focus on milk production, saying there is a readily available market in the DRC, which has a population of over 90 million but has no cows. 

"Tuko na soko kuanzia hapa DRC, hawa watu wako 90 million na hawana hata ng'ombe moja," Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency in the forthcoming elections was quoted as saying.  

But his remarks did not sit well with a section of Congolese people including Senator Muyumba, who is also an activist. The Haut-Katanga senator demanded an apology from Ruto, terming his remarks as an insult to the people of DRC.

"Mr. Vice President William Ruto, this is really unacceptable, with all due respect there is a need to withdraw this statement. If DRC did not have a single cow how could Kenya sign economic deals with DRC, EquityBCDC is currently making money in Congo, this is an insult," Muyumba wrote. 

She also called on the Kenyan deputy president to be diplomatically conscience, terming DRC as a friend of Kenya. 

"We are friends to #KENYA, A candidate running for the highest office of the Country William Ruto need to be diplomatically conscience as KENYA needs to strengthen economic ties in the region for Kenya’s internal Economic growth. KenyaAirway is now flying in some of our big cities," Francine added.