Jubilee Party Claims Ruto Spent Sh200 Million on His US and UK Tour

The Jubilee Party has hit out at Deputy President William Ruto over his statement on fuel shortage and the high cost of living in the country.

Ruto termed the current fuel crisis as a scheme between cartels and some government officials to steal from Kenyans.

He also accused the government of diverting the Sh39 billion Petroleum Development Fund that is meant for the fuel subsidy program to other uses, hence the fuel crisis.

But in a rejoinder, the Jubilee Party accused Ruto of hypocrisy and engaging in theatrics, saying the deputy president should offer practical solutions to Kenyans instead of becoming a serial complainer.

“Mr. Ruto is taking advantage of the plight of Kenyans to earn political mileage while posing as a Messiah. Mr. Ruto should make a choice, to be an ordinary citizen who holds no office or be the second in command, paid by the taxpayers to address challenges facing the country,” Jubilee secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni said in a statement.

Kioni averred that it is hypocritical for Ruto, who spends at least Sh50 million every weekend on transport logistics for his campaigns and security, to pose as an ordinary citizen.

He further claimed that the deputy president and his entourage used a whooping Sh200 million during his two-week tour of the US and UK last month.

“During his recent trip abroad, to the US & the UK, Mr. Ruto’s 131-man cheering squad spent a whooping KSh200 million in logistics, flights, accommodation and allowances. This is enough to provide an emergency food intervention programme in drought-stricken counties,” the statement added.

The ruling party questioned why Ruto chose to address the press after President Kenyatta signed the 2022 Supplementary I Appropriation Bill, which seeks to ensure fuel stabilization and other pressing public needs.

“That Mr. Ruto chose to convene a press briefing after the President rolled out the measures raises more questions than answers. If it was up to Mr. Ruto, he would prefer the problems to persist so that he can continue portraying himself as the person who will liberate Kenyans. It is hypocritical for the Deputy President to stand on the staircase of a government house, enjoying government security and staffing only to insult the same government he should be serving,” Kioni stated.

Jubilee asked the deputy president to either help the President to dispense his mandate to the people of Kenya, or resign from his position and lead the opposition.