Seth Mwaniki 

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has hit out at Deputy President William Ruto over the poor performance of the economy.

He said Ruto is part of the Jubilee administration that has failed to revive the economy making life unbearable for Kenyans because of increased cost of goods.

The former deputy premier asked  Ruto to share in the failures of President Uhuru Kenyatta government where he is his deputy.

“In a kitchen set up, the chef is the head and he is assisted by a deputy chef. If the chef puts more salt on the food, the deputy should not run away from the bad food…..where was he when the chef was over salting the food?” posed the ANC leader yesterday.

Mudavadi was speaking at ACK St Peter’s Cathedral Church Hall in Nyeri town in his first day of a two-day visit of the county, at ACK St Peter’s Cathedral Church Hall, Nyeri town.

“Corruption has been the hallmark of this administration and it has made life very expensive.

Now someone is telling you that he will fix the same economy he has been in the last eight years,” he said.

Mudavadi said he was the first  person to raise the red flag on the failing economy and even offered suggestion on what needed to be done.

“Everyone including those who were or are in government are now talking of how they will revive the economy, the same economy they have plundered,” he said.

Lower taxes 

He urged Nyeri residents  to support his policy of building an economy that works for all without  subjecting Kenyans to a culture of handouts.

“We want to build an economy that works for all and see unto it that Kenyans are not overtaxed. This can only be achieved through coming up with policies that uplift the common citizens,” he said.

The former minister said his administration will work towards lowering taxes and ensure people have money in their pockets.

The Nyeri visit comes barely two weeks after he toured Nakuru County where he was hosted by Governor Lee Kinyanjui. Earlier he had toured Nyandarua and his Kirinyaga counties.

Mudavadi said the reforms in the tea sector should be made to work and benefit all Kenyans and promised Nyeri people that his administration will ensure the agriculture economy of the region is supported and made to thrive again.

“Reforms in the tea sector should be supported and ensure they work for the benefit of all Kenyans.

Coffee farming and even the vegetable sector must be supported through value addition and my government will ensure this is achieved and farmers are protected,” he said.

Governor Kahiga welcomed the ANC leader, assuring him that the people of Nyeri and Central Kenya region at large will support a candidate who will help revive the dwindling economy of the region.

“We care more about our economy, especially our agriculture sector and looking at those interested in the presidency, we already know who that person is.

Kenyans need a leader who embraces peace, his not controversial and is keen to unite all people and Mudavadi fits  the bill,” said the governor.

Kahiga maintained that Central region is yet to endorse any person for the presidency but will walk with whoever will ensure peace prevails before, during and after the elections.

“We appreciate and love your leadership style. You are a humble person and a man of peace and that’s what we need as a people of Nyeri. The people of Nyeri have no problem with you,” he added.

Call for peace

And addressing faithful at PCEA Muringato Church, Abundant New Life Church and Sacred Heart Endarasha Catholic Church, Mudavadi  urged  the Church to hold politicians to account and advise the people on the kind of leaders  they should elect in next year’s general election.

“Our country is headed for transition from President Uhuru Kenyatta government to a new administration and all we need is peace for the economic prosperity of our country,” said Mudavadi.

Accompanied by Kahiga and a host of MPs among them Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Kanini Kega (Kieni) and Senator Johnson Sakaja, he urged Nyeri residents to support his presidential bid based on his economic agenda for the country. 

“We want to build an economy that works for all. We lower taxes and ensure people have money in their pockets,”he said.