Why Did You Let Kenyans Suffer?: Ruto Castigates Gov’t on Unga Prices

Why Did You Let Kenyans Suffer?: Ruto Castigates Gov’t on Unga Prices

Deputy President William Ruto has questioned the government’s move to reduce the prices of maize flour ahead of the August 9th general elections.

On Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative announced a four-week subsidy that will see the price of a two-kilogram packet go down from an all-time high of Sh230 to Sh100. A 50-kilogram bag of unga will now retain at 2,250 Sh440 for 10kg, Sh250 for 5kg, Sh52 for a 1kg packet, and Sh30 for 500 grams.

“The Ministry of Agriculture shall subsidize the price of maize flour being produced/sold by the miller for a period of four (4) weeks from the date of this contract,” reads part of the agreement the ministry inked with maize millers.

The Ministry of Agriculture will also deploy market surveillance teams to ensure that sifted maize flour is sold at the maximum recommended retail price stated. 

Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency on a UDA party ticket, downplayed the move to reduce unga prices three weeks to the general elections, terming it a plot to hoodwink Kenyans into voting for his competitor.

"When we told them that they have spoilt the plan to increase food production they started blaming the war in Ukraine. Now they say that they are lowering maize prices because there is an election in August. Why did you leave Kenyans to suffer?" Ruto posed during a campaign rally in Kamkunji, Nairobi.

While expressing confidence that he will win the upcoming elections, Ruto stated that the action would not sway Kenyans into changing their decisions on the ballot. 

"Kenyans have already decided… whether you lower the prices or not you will go home on August 9th," Ruto stated.

Comments

Wesley (not verified)     Mon, 07/18/2022 @ 08:20pm

Ruto is now grabbing on weak straws as he drowns down a fast moving river. This man is the number 2 in the current government but he is now asking one of the dumbest question even a real dummy from Mogotio could answer.

Ruro is acting foolish because he has sensed defeat.

KK (not verified)     Mon, 07/18/2022 @ 10:51pm

Criticizing the very same government he works for and is supposed to be helping run. If he can’t help the citizens now, what makes him think he’ll do anything for them if elected to office. Crazy enough this guy used to be in charge of minister of agriculture. I wish Kenyans could him why he hasn’t done anything to help them now. It’s unfortunate Kenyans are blinded to chose Ruto or Raila. If you are not popular and a liar nobody is going to vote for you.

Charles Thiru Gathu (not verified)     Mon, 07/18/2022 @ 11:08pm

This is the highest order of taking kenyans for granted. Ruto refused to give up his second in command at least to demonstrate his love for his country and show kenyans that he can deliver. its not rocket science to know if you are not with the system then you should resign?

suddenly Ruto want us to believe that he just woke up and smelt the coffee or is it he suddenly saw the right like saul on his road to damascus? Ruto should give us a break

Asista (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 06:51pm

In reply to by Charles Thiru Gathu (not verified)

It’s not about Ruto’s failure to resign. That is not why the people of Kenya are suffering. It’s about bad governance by those that Ruto technically left in power. If they ever thought that Ruto’s way of contributions of leadership was not needed, they went ahead with their own for which with lack of a smart second in command come tumbling down.
Raila’s take over as virtual deputy president or chief advisor as president Uhuru has always told us came to help bring down the government. Right at this moment Kenya has been made as a state with few rich people and the rest the begging, starving, peasant servants.

Imara Daima (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 12:17am

Ndugu yetu Samoei kusema kweli amechanganyikiwa. Nakuomba @ Asista umwambie rafiki yako (Kongoi Mising Samoei) ya kwamba, yeye ndiye makamu wa rais wa nchi ya Kenya.

Asista (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 06:59pm

In reply to by Imara Daima (not verified)

Imara, why do we think it’s wrong for anyone in government to bring forth what they feel is wrong in the same government? Isn’t but of one job? Should one clap for the wrongs or different opinions arising out of public office?

Mūgīkūyū (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 12:45am

This con is in government and still questioning the same government which pays him on a monthly basis. Does that even make sense?
Come August 10th, poor Martha will be cleaning Karen residence which for years has been a "hotel" where Gachagua makes those chapatis+Mchele and the githeri he has been giving out on the campaign trail.Kenyans are not looking for handouts.

Asista (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 06:55pm

In reply to by Mūgīkūyū (not verified)

Listen Mugikuyu, you don’t get paid by taxpayers not to question a government decision even when you’re in government. Taxpayers don’t pay you to be a stooge of sort. If you have to question the wrongs that others do in government, foes it negate or take you out of government payroll?

Maxiley (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 11:08pm

In reply to by Mūgīkūyū (not verified)

@ Mugikuyu , not only is he paid by the same government he is accusing of "late down", but he is the second most powerful man behind the president.If I were him, I would be ashamed to utter such a statement.And did he realize that people were suffering...last month?

bmore (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 01:14am

Little bit help. It doesn't matter even if the price was lowered for one day. Mwananchi will still benefit. In US some governors gives gas tax credit for one month and many people appreciate

Totojinga (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 05:20am

The audacity this tHing has is unbelievable.
Whats next? A lecture on how detrimental public plunder is to a Nation?

Chelagat (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 08:43am

This man is the dumbest I have ever seen in my life!! RUTO YOU are and still is the GOVT!!! Now i’d rather have anyone else than Ruto in any leadership position in Kenya. This man is truly a conniving devil! Big time liar thinking Kenyans are stupid and foolish. Shame on him!!!

Asista (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 07:06pm

In reply to by Chelagat (not verified)

Chelagat, we are all in government. We only elected a few individuals to be our signatories but apparently they are fleecing us. The government belongs to the people and we are all entitled to question any wrong policies or the excesses of power.
Sadly we have a long way to educate people on government and who the owners are.

Asista (not verified)     Tue, 07/19/2022 @ 07:12pm

I believe it’s the same person with different pseudo names complaining above. This is an individual who only understands government to mean those that are elected. And that one they get elected they don’t question anything affecting the owners of the government. All Kenyans are in government. As a matter of ease of management, they elect some individuals to represent them.

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