Raila Accuses President Ruto of Reneging on His Campaign Promises

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has accused President Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government of failing to honor the promises they made to Kenyans during the campaign period.

Speaking during the burial of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa’s mother Philemona Mutelwa in Mumias on Monday, Odinga said Ruto has failed to fulfill his promise of lowering the prices of fuel and other essential goods, adding that the president changed his tune on the interest-free loans promised to 'hustlers'.

"They promised a Sh50 billion interest-free fund, and another Sh100 billion for women. But now they are changing their words. They are now saying no funds will be issued without paying interest. They said the price of fuel and unga would drop as soon as they are sworn in, now they are asking for one year," said Odinga.

Further, Odinga called out the Kenya Kwanza administration for making unilateral decisions on crucial matters such as taxation and the proposed increments on the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions without carrying out public participation.

"There must be public participation, you cannot rise up one day and say you will increase NSSf and NHIF contributions...No taxation without representation. If they want to increase taxes let them tell us how much and let us have our MPs discuss this matter. We will tell them to reject the proposals," he added.

At the same time, Odinga warned President Ruto’s administration against sidelining regions that did not vote for him in the August 9th general election, stating that development projects must be shared equally.

“Development must be everywhere whether they like it or not. I can advise you not to pay taxes if they won’t do it,” Raila said.