- William Ruto took fresh jabs at Edwin Sifuna during his North Rift tour, mocking the Nairobi senator's newly launched Equitable Party
- The president also criticised Sifuna's attendance at Fred Obachi Machoka's 50th anniversary celebration, which featured Congolese rhumba star Koffi Olomide
- Sifuna hit back at Ruto over taxes and statutory deductions, questioning the president's handling of the Affordable Housing Programme and the Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
President William Ruto has launched fresh attacks on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, mocking his newly unveiled political party and questioning his suitability for the presidency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
Speaking in West Pokot County on Wednesday, October 14, during his ongoing development tour of the North Rift, Ruto ridiculed Sifuna's launch of The Equitable Party (TEP), which the senator intends to use as his political vehicle in the upcoming elections.
The president also took aim at Sifuna's attendance at veteran broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka's 50th anniversary in the media industry, where Congolese rhumba star Koffi Olomide headlined a star-studded concert.
A photograph of Sifuna seated beside Machoka at a table with what appeared to be alcoholic drinks also became a subject of Ruto's criticism.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
"I saw Mr Empty went to launch a party called the Empty Party. After getting out of there, he went straight to a bar. The last time we saw him with Kofi Olomide. The table was full with expensive alcohol, those that go with two names like Johnie Walker, Johnie Natembeya, Jack whatever," Ruto joked.
The president alleged that Sifuna spent money on expensive drinks before turning to ordinary Kenyans, particularly women in local markets, to solicit small financial contributions.
"The guy himself is empty. His party is empty. The only remaining thing is alcohol. And now he starts asking local women to send him KSh 10 bob each. Where will that party head to? Won't it be stuck in a bar?" Ruto asked jokingly.
He further questioned whether Kenyans should elect Sifuna president because of his political activities and social engagements.
"That is the person you are saying we Kenyans should vote for? Are we that stupid? To vote for them because they went to a bar to drink alcohol? They are insulting our intelligence," Ruto said.
Why is Ruto criticising Sifuna?
The latest remarks came a day after Ruto criticised Sifuna over his pledge to abolish the Affordable Housing Programme's levy if elected president.
On Tuesday, October 13, the president argued that scrapping the programme would jeopardise jobs created through housing construction and affect Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on the projects.
Ruto also questioned Sifuna's opposition to the initiative, arguing that the senator's salary was funded by taxpayers, including ordinary Kenyans benefiting from housing-related employment opportunities.
How did Sifuna respond to Ruto?
In a response shared on social media on Wednesday, Sifuna challenged the president to address other statutory deductions he said he pays every month.
"Is he done ranting about the 24K I pay for his housing scam because kuna hii 43k I pay every month for his SHA scam? We also need to discuss," Sifuna wrote.
The senator also cited KSh500,000 in monthly Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions, renewing his criticism of the government's taxation policies.
Sifuna has maintained that the housing levy should be scrapped if he takes over the presidency in 2027.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Authors:
Tags:
Hot: