'Tumia akili!' President Ruto slams Sifuna over plan to scrap housing levy

President William Ruto began the second day of his North Rift tour in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Tuesday, using the rally to hit back at his political critics.

Ruto took aim at Linda Mwananchi leader and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who last week vowed to scrap the affordable housing levy if elected President, with the Head of State warning that such a move would put thousands of jobs at risk.

President Ruto said such a direction would put at risk the livelihoods of thousands of Kenyans already employed in the affordable housing projects.

“Nilisikia jamaa mwingine juzi eti anasema yeye analipa Ksh.24,000 ya housing kutoka kwa mshahara yake na ni mtu Senator, ati yeye sasa ako na mpango ya kusimamisha hii programme ya housing ati kwa sababu analipa Ksh.24,000,” he said.

“Mimi nataka niambie huyo jamaa, tumia akili naniii, wacha uji. Wale wanakulipa mshahara ni hawa wananchi hawa. Watoto wa hawa wananchi milioni moja ndiyo wanafanya kazi kwa affordable housing.”

President Ruto argues that Sifuna’s proposal would dash the hopes of slum dwellers who dream of owning decent, affordable homes.

“Kama unalipa housing Ksh.24,000 inamaanisha mshahara yako ni Ksh.1.8 million. Wewe unataka kuja kusimamisha ili Wakenya wenye wanaishi kwa squalor waendelee kuishi huko wewe ukiishi kwa 5 bedrooms. Huyo ni mtu ako na akili kweli?” He posed.

President Ruto also sustained his calls for the region to register as voters, lamenting the low voter enlisting.

“Sasa nyinyi mnanifanya naenda kupiga magoti huko, naenda kupiga magoti huko nikiomba kura ya wengine na iko kura ya nyumbani hapa. Hapana hapana. Mnanikosea. Wacheeni mchezo…Hii kelele yote haiwezi kusaidia mimi. Ile itanisaidia ni kura kwa debe,” he said.

Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said: “Yule tapeli anaongea ati watatoa candidate mmoja option mko nayo ni saa ngapi mtashindwa. Mtakawia lakini hamwezi kupita saa moja na nusu William Ruto atarudi State House.”

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi added: “Hao watu hakuna mahali wanaweza kwenda bila kusukumwa. Hakuna mahali wanaenda. Rais kwa miaka minne umeweka nyumba 1.5 million kwa stima na Wakenya wanaona stima.”

The region’s security also came under sharp focus, as the leaders lauded the government’s efforts to deal with banditry.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen noted: “Mheshimiwa Rais mimi nakushukuru sana hapa Kapyego watu walikuwa wanajificha lakini bunduki tumetoa sai watu wanakaa kwa amani.”