Ruto: Uhuru-Raila Handshake to Blame for High Cost of Living

Deputy President William Ruto says the handshake between President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga is to blame for the high cost of living.

Ruto, who is seeking to succeed President Kenyatta this year, claims that the handshake derailed the Jubilee administration’s plan on food security under the Big Four Agenda, leading to high cost of living.

"Before the handshake, a packet of maize flour was retailing at Sh80 but now it’s at more than Sh200 because after the political deal, they suspended fertilizer and other farm input subsidies, which has resulted in high prices of food," Ruto asserted.

Addressing a campaign rally at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa, the deputy president urged residents to vote for candidates allied to his Kenya Kwanza Alliance to ensure the outfit has more seats in the National Assembly, Senate and county assemblies to revolutionize the economy.

He pledged that if elected president on August 9th, his government will invest in agriculture to ensure there is food security.

At the same time, Ruto accused the Azimio La Umoja team of transferring the operations of Mombasa port to Nairobi and Naivasha.

"Those who are making Mombasa people become more poor are Mombasa businesspeople who are working in the sector. When I am elected as president in August 9, I will issue executive order to return port operations in Mombasa so as to benefit residents, not individuals," he added.

Ruto was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Musalia Mudavadi, Senator Moses Wetang’ula, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Kilifi’s Amason Kingi and MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), and MP Mohammed Ali (Nyali).