Nakuru, Kenya Jan 1 – President Wiliam Ruto has expressed his frustration following frequent cases filed against his government’s programs. Ruto sent a bitter message to opposition blaming them for sabotaging programs that he believes are beneficial to citizens.
Speaking in Nakuru, during his new year’s address to the nation, Ruto appeared frustrated by court cases that seek to overthrow some of his programs, including affordable housing program and universal health coverage.
Ruto fingered some members of the parliament and senate for “hijacking national institutions and turning them into anti-people weapons for a select privileged few and and saboteurs of inclusive transformation for the majority”.
The head of state said that it is unfortunate that Kenya in finding herself in such a situation. He questioned how the his government can proceed with its projects when “saboteurs” are opposing them.
He further accused the opposition for sabotaging programs like universal health coverage yet many of them have unlimited health coverage for themselves, funded by taxpayer’s money. He added that the people are paying for the leaders’ welfare with expectations that the same leaders will help them improve their living standards.
“The people of Kenya have made great sacrifices to immensely facilitate us, (as leaders) and all public servants for us to do the very best we can in making this country work for everyone and in making sure that our institutions protect and increase opportunities for wealth and employment for all,” Ruto said.
He continued, “The people of Kenya have also invested in providing us (leaders) in all arms of the government with generous welfare and other benefits including medical and housing benefits that they can only dream of in expectations that we shall in turn safeguard their opportunities to access either commensurate if not similar benefits.”
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The president also said that independent institutions should not work against the people in the name of constitutionalism. He said the law should not be used to deny citizens opportunities or as a mockery of their struggles and aspirations.
“We must ensure that institutional independence does not mutate into impunity and avoidance of accountability. We must be cautious lest our profess pursuit of constitutionalism and obedience to the law turns into an empty ritual and hollow vanity for the majority of citizens,” Ruto reiterated
He added, “we must take abundant care that our aim to protecting or advancing the people’s rights does not deny them legitimate opportunities or make a mockery of their struggles and aspirations.”
