Members of Parliament allied to the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition are now threatening to lead their supporters to storm government offices including the Treasury in protest of the Kenya Kwanza government’s unfulfilled promises.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition Senators and MPs have threatened to rally their supporters and storm Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof. Njuguna Ndungu’s office if the Kenya Kwanza administration fails to tackle the economic crisis facing the country.
Led by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the leaders criticized the government for shifting timelines when it comes to the implementation of Ruto’s campaign agenda especially on issues to do with tackling the high cost of living.
“We want answers and if they do not come in the next few days, we will have no option but to lead our supporters into these offices for answers,” said Azimio on Tuesday in a statement signed by Sifuna and five other legislators allied to the political faction.
“We will follow these officers anywhere and everywhere for answers and not warnings.”
With Azimio insisting that President William Ruto has failed to honor all the promises he made on the campaign trail, the faction added that Kenyans are being lied to and taken around in circles, particularly on the issue of the economy.
“In the beginning, Kenyans were told costs would come down as soon as Ruto put the Bible down after being sworn in. Since putting the Bible down and prices refusing to come down, Kenyans were told fertilizers had been brought. Still, prices refused to come down,” said Azimio.
“Then we were told Kenya had licensed GMO foods. Still, prices refused to come down and the economy refused to pick up. Then we were told to wait for six months. Each time the months arrive, the goalposts shift again.”
Azimio similarly castigated Ruto for what they term as him blaming former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the country’s poor state of the economy.
“William Ruto never tires of telling us how President Uhuru Kenyatta ruined the country. It does not seem to matter that Ruto was Deputy President that entire period. It doesn’t seem to occur to him that he found the State House budget pegged at Ksh.4 billion which he increased to Ksh.9 billion,” said Azimio.
“He has introduced offices hitherto unheard of in public service including prayer warriors, office of the first daughter, and office of the spouse of the Prime CS. Rigathi Gachagua keeps threatening to name top officials in Uhuru Kenyatta’s government who looted the country.”
Azimio likewise intimated that the Kenya Kwanza administration is now on a spending spree despite promising that it would curb external borrowing when Ruto assumed office.
“Last Saturday, it was reported that Ruto is seeking Ks.76.6 billion in loans from foreign banks. Kenya’s public debt hit Ksh.9.145 trillion in December against the allowed limit of Ksh.10 trillion, leaving President Ruto’s administration with little room to borrow,” said Azimio.
“The shilling is officially exchanging at an all-time low of about 127 units to the dollar—translating to over 24 percent depreciation since March 2020— but many banks and foreign exchange bureaus are quoting as high as 137 as the dollars become scarce. “
